Another mad game at St James’ Park and another big win, as Newcastle United beat Bournemouth on penalties to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup.
After a quiet opening 45, the 90 minutes ended 2-2 after Anthony Gordon’s stoppage time penalty sent us to extra-time, which went back and forth once again as Harvey Barnes’ 118th minute header was cancelled out at the death by Marcus Tavernier, who made it 3-3.
Spot kicks at the Leazes End saw Nick Woltemade and Bruno Guimaraes both miss, but Aaron Ramsdale came to our rescue on an up and down afternoon for our on-loan stopper, as he saved three Bournemouth penalties to help us win the shootout 7-6!
That’s now 11 ‘wins’ and two draws in our last 13 home games, four on the spin and a victory that keeps the momentum building the mentality strong to start 2026, with Newcastle rallying late and coming through the big moments on top once again.
Howe made SEVEN changes from that 4-3 win over Leeds on Wednesday, as Ramsdale, Botman, Trippier, Livramento, Ramsey, Willock and Wissa replaced Pope, Schar, Hall, Miley, Bruno, Joelinton and Gordon.
Finally a chance to see Wissa and Woltemade in the same side, as we started in more of a 4-4-1-1, with Willock on the right, Ramsey alongside Tonali, Barnes down the left and big Nick just behind our new No 9.
Newcastle: Ramsdale – Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Livramento – Willock, Ramsey, Tonali, Barnes – Woltemade – Wissa.
Subs: Pope, Hall, Joelinton, Gordon, A.Murphy, Bruno G, Neave, Miley, Alabi
Bournemouth: Petrovic – Smith, Diakite, Hill, Soler – Cook, Scott – Brooks, Adli, Kroupi Jr – Unal
It was a fairly flat first 45. We had plenty of the ball and, in some ways, a rare element of control, but our final ball was often lacking just as we entered the final third.
Wissa had our best chance after good work from Woltemade, Ramsey was the bright spark with some sharp passing and bursts into space, while returning trio Trippier, Botman and Livramento all looked a little rusty. Ramsdale was largely untested, but made one vital stop to deny Scott.
Willock struggled and looks a man lacking in confidence, Botman will have to sharpen up ahead of an upcoming battle with Erling Haaland on Tuesday, and Woltemade had mixed success in a deeper role, which would unlock the door in the second half.
After no changes at the break, Big Nick’s through ball allowed that man Barnes to get in behind and score again, although 1-0 very nearly became 1-1 as an awful Livramento giveaway almost gifted Evanilson an immediate equaliser shortly before Tino was forced off with a hamstring injury, seeing Lewis Hall come on.
Then came the chaos, as Botman hit the bar, going close to making it 2-0 just two minutes before the visitors rallied in a game we’d lost control of since taking the lead. First Scott tapped in at the back post, then a great finish from Brooks saw the Cherries going ahead after Trippier was done for pace from a Bournemouth breakaway.
We huffed and puffed – too many Hall crosses for good positions didn’t find black and white shirts – and more changes followed, as Gordon, Miley, Joelinton and Bruno replaced Wissa, Trippier, Willock and Ramsey, who had done well before fading slightly in the second half.
Then, with seconds of the 90 to go before six minutes of injury time was announced, Tonali burst onto a ball in behind and was brought down. PENALTY. And Gordon made no mistake, finishing emphatically at the Gallowgate. 2-2, more late drama and into extra time.
30 more minutes we could do without ahead of Man City on Tuesday, and the chaos continued. Botman cleared off the line shortly after a bad Gordon giveaway and Barnes’ headed a good chance wide from Bruno’s cross, but soon made up for it by nodding in at the Gallowgate to make it 3-2!
A 118th minute winner after his 102nd minute strike on Wednesday? Not quite, as Bournemouth equalised in extra time stoppage time, with Ramsdale and Botman making a mess of it to allow Marcus Tavernier to score! 3-3, penalties and even more drama.
In the shootout, it wasn’t looking good as back to back misses from Woltemade and Bruno left us behind, but three Ramsdale saves swung the tie in our favour, as the former Arsenal stopper was the hero in the end to send us into the forth round!
Four days, 13 goals and two massive victories at St James’ Park, keeping this superb start to 2026 going!
Next up, the small matter of Man City, who won 10-1 today, in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi final first leg.
Keep the faith. Howay the lads!
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