Newcastle United have a slim lead from the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final as Joelton’s goal earned them victory at Southampton.
The Brazilian made amends for missing an easy chance earlier when he got on the end of substitute Aleksandar Isak’s perfect low cross to add to the decider with 17 minutes remaining.
Newcastle will now be favorites to reach their first major Wembley final since the FA Cup in 1999 as they look to end their trophy drought of winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.
And if Newcastle can get the job done on Tyneside in the second leg, they will be grateful to Nick Pope, who made two key saves from Southampton substitute Che Adams in the second half and scored without him. His outstanding personal record became 10. Continuous clean sheets
Southampton, who thought Adam Armstrong had an equalizer disallowed for handball by VAR, saw their night of frustration complete when defender Doje Kalita was sent off for a second yellow card in the closing minutes. I was dispatched.
Joelinton was a central figure, seeing a first-half goal controversially ruled out for handball and then flashing over an open goal when it looked easy to score, before hitting the target from Eddie Howe. to form firm favorites to reach Wembley.
The two sides meet in the second leg at St James’ Park on Tuesday, January 31.
Newcastle’s march continues.
Newcastle United’s dream season under Howe now holds the real prospect of a place in the Premier League’s top four and next season’s Champions League, as well as a place at Wembley.
They needed brilliant saves from keeper Pope to keep Southampton at bay when they threatened after the break but Newcastle always threatened, even if much of their finishing was poor, and eventually substitute Isaac Fast work provided an opportunity that Jolton could not miss.
Newcastle’s defense has been so shaky this season that one goal is always enough and so it proved that, for all Southampton’s efforts, they simply couldn’t break through, leaving the Toon Army in a corner at St Mary’s. A celebration was held at the final whistle.
Howe will know that Newcastle were not at their best and showed nerves at times, but will be satisfied with getting the job done against a Southampton side that saw off favorites Manchester City in the quarter-finals here.
It leaves Howe’s side in a favorable position for the second leg in front of an expected capacity crowd at St James’ Park, with a Wembley final against either Manchester United or Nottingham Forest as the prize on offer. Will be.
“Both sides had their moments and chances to win the game, but we know it’s only half-time and there’s a long way to go,” Howe said. “It’s been a good day but the tie still has a long way to go.
“I can’t be critical in any way. We played good defense, Nick made some big saves again. He’s been outstanding for us this year, the defense played really well in front of him but when he was called upon, he delivered for us.
“I’m happy to win; it was our goal but we know that 1-0 is critical, nothing is decided.”
Southampton disappointed
The hosts were left cursing both Newcastle’s brilliant keeper Pope and VAR as they face an uphill task to overturn the slim deficit in their bid to reach Wembley.
Saints manager Nathan Jones was locked in a heated argument with referee Stuart Attwell as he left the field, disputing the VAR decision which ruled it was a handball by Adam Armstrong as it hit Julianton. Bundled home shortly after the goal which they thought was the leveller.
However, Jones would also find that Adams had a crucial chance when he kept the game in the balance only to thwart the outstretched leg of Pope, who fired a close-range shot past the striker on the turn. Another great save from later on
“I’m really proud of the level of performance,” Jones said. “They are a top side, big physical and athletic. They have time to recruit and recruit like that and they are a real tough side to play against.
“I thought we were the best. They had two big chances and we had two big chances. For us to compete and the way we were, it shows we’ve come a long way and the others. In the half we went after that. The game. We really stepped it up.
“We lack a little bit of quality in terms of wide areas. Once we get that confidence and get one or two in, we’ll be a different threat. I’m really proud of them.”
Southampton put up a fight throughout but Newcastle’s defense is so tough you just have to take your chances when they present themselves. They failed to do so and will now go to Tyneside as underdogs in the battle for a place in the final.
