Newcastle United booked their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup away to Tranmere Rovers - but only after a scare from the basement division side. The lower league side had the audacity to take the lead at Prenton Park but Newcastle fought back through goals from Jamaal Lascelles and Chris Wood before safely booking their place in the next stage.
Howe made 10 changes to his side for the Carabao Cup clash on the Wirral with Joe Willock the only survivor from the starting line-up that drew 3-3 with Manchester City in the Premier League encounter at the weekend. The Toon boss went with his tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation and opposing boss Micky Mellon started with a 4-2-3-1 system to try to quell the top flight side.
The first chance of the game fell for Newcastle as Jacob Murphy got free down the left and prodded towards goal but former Everton stopper Mateusz Hewlet gathered comfortably. Murphy got another glimpse of goal after 11 minutes but scooped it over the bar with the Polish keeper not troubled by the effort.
