By our man at ST JAMES’ PARK
ST JAMES’ PARK was rocking last night as local lad Lewis Miley sent the Gallowgate End into a state of pure, unadulterated delirium. In a tie that looked destined for the lottery of penalties, the Tyneside teenager rose like a salmon in the 92nd minute to nod the holders into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
For Fulham, it was a long, cold trip back to London after seeing their Wembley dreams dashed in the shadow of the Sir Bobby Robson statue.
From the first whistle, the historic atmosphere of St James’ Park played its part.
There is no venue in world football quite like this 52,000-seater cathedral when the lights are on and a semi-final spot is on the line.
The famous “Blaydon Races” anthem hadn’t even finished echoing around the rafters when the Magpies took flight.
Yoane Wissa, making his full debut following a £55m summer move, proved he’s already found his feet in the North East.
Just 10 minutes in, he pounced on a parried Jacob Murphy cross to fire the hosts ahead, sparking a roar that could be heard all the way down the Quayside.
But Fulham didn’t come to the Tyneside fortress just to admire the architecture. Only six minutes later, the travelling Londoners had something to shout about.
Antonee Robinson whipped in a cross that Sasa Lukic met with a clinical header, silencing the home support—if only for a moment.
The match became a tense, tactical battle on the hallowed St James’ turf. Newcastle thought they’d reclaimed the lead when Joachim Andersen turned the ball into his own net, only for a desperate offside flag to save the Dane’s blushes.
As the clock ticked into six minutes of added time, the tension inside the stadium was thick enough to carve with a knife.
But this is St James’ Park, a place where legends are born. With 92 minutes on the clock, Sandro Tonali swung in a corner that defied the swirling Tyneside wind.
Lewis Miley, the 19-year-old who has grown up dreaming of these nights, rose at the near post to glance the ball home.
The stadium didn’t just cheer; it erupted. A sea of black and white scarves met a wall of sound as Eddie Howe’s men kept their grip on the trophy.
Fulham’s Kenny Tete almost spoiled the party with a late screamer that whistled past the post, but the Geordie gods were smiling on their temple tonight.
Newcastle are heading back to the final four—and on this evidence, nobody will want to face them on their own patch.
