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Newcastle to face Barcelona or Chelsea after cruising into Champions League last-16
Newcastle United breezed into the knockout rounds of the Champions League for the first time but this did not feel like a night when history was made on Tyneside.
With Qarabag’s defence offering all the resistance of a carrier bag in a gale, Newcastle were 2-0 up inside six minutes and then played like a team going through the motions.
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It was difficult not to. Having led 6-1 from the first leg, the tie was over and everyone inside the stadium knew it. For 20 minutes, Eddie Howe’s side looked like they could score at will, but went to sleep, made mistakes and allowed beaten opponents to salvage some pride with two goals in the second half.
You could criticise Newcastle for moving down the gears, but this was like a pre-season friendly with an atmosphere to match. There was no jeopardy by that point, just a game to get through without injuries or overexertion.
It will still irritate Howe, of course, and it is now ten games without a clean sheet in all competitions.
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The home fans sounded a little grumpy, or maybe bored, by the end, but should not lose sight of what an achievement this is for Newcastle, who will face Barcelona or Chelsea in the round of 16.
Progressing into the latter stages of the Champions League was one of their main pre-season targets and although Qarabag’s presence in the play-off round seemed mystifying given their obvious limitations, they had beaten Benfica and drawn with Chelsea in the group stages.
Full report to come…
10:23pm Reaction
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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe:
I’d agree with Sandro, at 2-0 we probably came off the pedal. We didn’t intend to but it’s a natural reaction. Then second half became end to end, which was a real shame – we spent too much energy and didn’t threaten goal.
This was our target at start season, to get to knockout stage, it was there for us. Really enjoyed different challenges so far, knockouts will be a very different challenge, in the sharp end vs elite teams, but we’ve got to get League form back to where we want it which will give us better chance in this one.
There’s no break for us, other clubs have had a free week, but we played City at the worst time. There was fatigue in our performance today, especially in the second half which we’re carrying through games. But the players are in good rhythm, and when you’re winning there’s no better feeling than having a game around the corner. Four wins in five, we need to keep it going.
On Nick Woltemade:
Think main thing is stay in between lines, don’t come away from midfield. He needs to be a goal threat and target from crosses. We want him to score goals, that’s part of the reason we bought him, but he did some lovely bits of link play, so there were moments but that was the least impact he’s had in that position for us.
On his tifo:
Very nice, not a bad angle of me! It means an incredible amount, but I didn’t see it! Amazing, a big thank you, much appreciated, it means everything.
10:18pm Reaction
Alex Murphy, who made his first start today:
My first start, so in the Champions League isn’t a bad way to do it. Proud, and delighted we won and with the performance.
Nights like tonight, especially with a big lead, it’s an opportunity for young lads to show what they’re about. The club’s always pushing us and whenever get an opportunity we have to take it.
It’s not been easy season for me, I haven’t played much but I’ve always known there’s faith in me to produce and do a job whenever called upon. The lads have been great, they said keep working hard. Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Joelinton are all top lads, Trippier as well, they all help you out.
On when he found out he was starting:
This morning, mum and dad didn’t have a flight, they’re watching at home. My barber was here actually! I got a haircut yesterday just in case. Always ready!
The anthem at the start, you always dream of it, I started getting emotional, it was a great feeling being a part of it.
At the start, you don’t really enjoy it, the ball went over my head straight away but I started to enjoy it when I settled in.
Atmosphere was always gonna be unbelievable, especially on a UCL night, I didn’t expect it to be that good but loved it. Anthem is class.
Probably going to bed now! Adrenaline’s always mad after a night game.
10:01pm Reaction
Jacob Murphy, on his 31st birthday:
Job done, we had to come in today with a professional head, the tie isn’t done until it’s all over. We made hard work of it at times, but it was a flying start and damage was done there.
With this group we’ll take anyone on, especially in knockout football so bring on whoever’s to come.
Man of the match Sandro Tonali:
We played a great game in the first 10 mins, but I’m not very happy with the second half, we played with the result but we had to do more and more, because the fans deserve 100% for 90 mins every game. We can do more.
The first thing was don’t concede a goal, but we did and it was a stupid goal. But we’re happy because we’re through in the UCL and we deserve this. We’ve trained a lot for this, last season we worked really hard to play this competition so we deserve this.
09:56pm
Newcastle’s congested fixture list
Not a scintillating game of football but not worth Newcastle over-exerting themselves with this perilous fixture list. Tough to see how they climb into the European spots in the league with this sequence taking them through the end of March, but some excellent fixtures here including a Tyne-Wear derby and potentially three Chelsea games in a row.
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7 March: Man City in FA Cup (h)
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9-11 March: Chelsea/Barcelona in Champions League (h)
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16-18 March: Chelsea/Barcelona in Champions League (a)
09:51pm
Joelinton’s goal the pick of the bunch
09:49pm
Full-time: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
The game has been petering out since Newcastle got on the plane home from Baku last Wednesday, and finally we have a final whistle after one last corner, in which a Dan Burn backheel is saved comfortably.
That’s six Champions League wins for Newcastle this season, a new club record. Barcelona or Chelsea await!
09:47pm
90+2 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Most goals in a Champions League match is 13, seems safe now. Home fans exiting with their team defending a 3-2 lead, game’s gone!
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Musa Gurbanly, the coach’s son, has a shot deflected for a corner by Lewis Hall. Corner defended with ease.
09:45pm
90 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Newcastle send bodies forward for a throw deep into the Qarabag half but it takes an age for the ball to come in. When it does, it’s not via a cross but a through ball to Willock, whose shot is blocked well by Medina.
Three minutes of added time.
09:43pm
87 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Gordon cuts in and passes up to Wissa, whose touch is poor to surrender possession.
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18-year-old right back Leo Shahar, who we caught yawning on the bench earlier, is coming on for his debut. Hopefully he grabbed a red bull from the rugby club down the road.
09:39pm
83 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Gordon, deployed down the left, is caught on the turn in his own half.
The winger is now blatantly golden boot chasing. Alex Murphy intercepts and distributes him. Gordon cuts in nicely but the shot was never nestling from a long distance and tight angle.
09:36pm
80 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Would be worthwhile reminding Newcastle they’re only one up on the night. They’re passing around the edge of the Qarabag box without much intent and the eventual shot is off target.
09:34pm
78 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Another Newcastle chance as a cross comes in, Alex Murphy is waiting for it but a Qarabag defender beats him to it to deny him a chance at a debut goal.
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Three subs on for Qarabag, all attacking ones.
09:33pm
77 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Newcastle should have a 10th! First, Gordon shows his pace to get in behind. He pulls it back for Woltemade who strikes one, probably could’ve taken a touch because Qarabag defenders committed very early. It ricochets into the arm of one such defender blocking the shot.
Moments later Gordon is in behind again and his cut back makes it through a crowd to Willock whose shot is blocked. Also should’ve done better.
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We go back to double check the handball shout but it hit Huseynov’s body first and his arm was relatively tucked.
09:30pm
74 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Zoubir works into the Newcastle box, playing a one-two with Malinowski. His shot is sliced wide but the build-up was nice.
Yoanne Wissa on for the ineffective William Osula.
09:28pm
73 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Lewis Hall slides through Gordon on goal but Kochalski is well out to save, and then slide to beat Barnes to the seconds.
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Moments later Gordon has some space in the box but Barnes’s cross can’t find him.
Barnes then crosses again, this one a dinked effort but Woltemade can’t quite leap high enough to meet it.
09:25pm
69 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Duran lands awkwardly on his knee so I’d expect a bit of a break now, that looked painful. Tonight’s goal was his fifth in the competition this season, been their stand out today. Oncomes the Ukrainian Oleksii Kashchuk.
09:22pm
67 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Woltemade carelessly over-hits a switch, poor night for the German but you’re bound to say that about anyone who has failed to contribute to a goal. That might be unfair, Woltemade should’ve had an assist for Murphy, and it’s 3-2 on the night!
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Medina gives the ball away on half way and Newcastle through Willock and Barnes. There are three queuing up down the left but neither can find them. Barnes eventually has to cut in and shoot but Kochalski gets down well to save to his bottom right. Woltemade concedes the foul from the corner.
09:18pm
63 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 2 (9-3)
Messy from both sides now! Newcastle cough up possession and Tonali is the only man back as Qarabag counter three-on-one. Duran’s pass is over-hit to Montiel and he’s dispossessed by the byline by Tonali. The two then get into some handbags but the ball is still alive and Ramsdale is forced into a good save at his near right post from Zoubir.
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Sloppy defending from Newcastle, poor passing by Qarabag, and some afters amongst it all!
09:13pm Goals
Goal Qarabag!
Ramsdale makes the save but Jafarquliyev squeezes in the rebound!
Ramsdale saves from Jankovic to his left but parries it right. Jafarquliyev beats Murphy to the rebound to score in both legs. 3-2 on the night!
09:13pm
Penalty Qarabag!
Dan Burn slides in but Montiel had cut in in the box. The ball hits his trailing arm and the ref immediately points to the spot.
09:11pm
54 mins: Newcastle 3 Qarabag 1 (9-2)
On come some subs now, all goal hunting no doubt. Anthony Gordon, second only to Mbappe in the scoring charts, on alongside Joe Willock and Lewis Hall. Joelinton pretty furious to be leaving, as you’d expect. Trippier the one to depart for hall so Alex Murphy continues.
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107 seconds between those goals.
09:09pm Goals
Goal Newcastle!
Another quick one-two! Honours split even, this time though. Tripper crosses in a corner and Botman bullets his header in. That all-important seven goal margin restored.
09:06pm Goals
Goal Qarabag!
Bizarre atmosphere as Camilo Duran scores!
Medina chips one into midfield for Montiel. The flick to Duran is really tidy, not as tidy as the dribble forward and finish though! The forward takes on Dan Burn, beats him round the right and drills one into the near right post and in. Really nicely done!
09:04pm
49 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Jacob Murphy trying another early cross from deep but he doesn’t get enough curl on the ball.
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Trippier then gets a better ball in from a similar position a few moments later and Joelinton has a free header – somewhere between the 18 yard box and the six yard box lines, so it’s a tough one – but fails to make any contact.
09:02pm
47 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Harvey Barnes nutmegs Bolt before beating Silva to get to the byline. His low cross is hoofed away for a corner, which itself is punched away. Nice play by Barnes.
09:01pm
Second half start: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
No substitutions at the break. Tonali concedes an early foul.
08:56pm
Half-time verdict
Much like the second half in the first leg, it is hard for players to maintain intensity with such a lead. The ease with which they scored those first two goals can only have accentuated that, Tonali stabbing in on the third rebound and Joelinton following up immediately afterwards.
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Eddie Howe has continued to bark orders at his players from the technical area and you’d think he’ll be asking the likes of Woltemade and Osula to up the ante, both are in need of goals. Woltemade’s effort vs Aston Villa is his only goal in the last 17. Botman, who has been deputised for capably by Thiaw, has given the ball away twice in awkward areas.
Here’s hoping for some substitutions, lots of players who’d need to make a mark: three teenagers, a returning Yoane Wissa, struggling Anthony Elanga and a record-chasing Anthony Gordon.
Not much to be said about Qarabag. Unfortunately, they’re miles off it, but have had some decent chances courtesy of Montiel and Duran.
08:46pm
Half-time: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Dan Burn heads away the cross, blocks the follow-up shot then clears. Qarabag with some possession and territory, but the half-time whistle goes as they knock it about without much threat.
08:44pm
43 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Easy to say Qarabag were slow to wakeup – they arrived in Tyne and Wear this morning at 3am on their body clocks, currently close to midnight for them!
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They have a freekick mid way through Newcastle’s half so can get a delivery in.
08:42pm
42 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Jacob Murphy has a cross blocked for a corner, the sort of urgency that Newcastle need to play with if they’re going to beat this highly-populated low block.
And then a good save from Aaron Ramsdale! Qarabag counter from the corner and Montiel finds Duran. He frees up his feet just outside the box and connects well but it’s a relatively comfortable diving stop for Ramsdale. Corner cleared.
08:38pm
38 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Jacob Murphy misses! He was called offside but was comfortably on, the decision only made after his strike. There was some beautiful feet by Woltemade on the turn to send him in behind in the box but he pulls his finish wide left.
08:35pm
35 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Botman gives the ball away again on half way and Montiel goes for the audacious, having seen Ramsdale off his line. His strike is completely miscued.
08:34pm
33 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Woltemade is hounded by four players and dispossessed but Abdellah Zoubir can only turn back when released up the left flank. Newcastle working back well.
08:32pm
31 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Qarabag getting another touch in the box now, and last week’s goalscorer Jafarquliyev attacks the byline. His cross across goal is intercepted by Ramsdale for a corner.
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The corner is short and the eventual cross is met by Matheus Silva but the header is deflected wide before Woltemade defends the next delivery. Nice bit of flare by Bolt to flick it above Osula’s head with no one behind him; his pass forward is intercepted.
08:29pm
29 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
A first chance for Qarabag, which is missed and also offside. Sven Botman carelessly gives possession away and Montiel can run at him with Duran the man over. By the time former La Liga player Montiel releases it Duran is offside, so Botman is spared.
08:27pm
27 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Qarabag have a rare chance to attack the Newcastle defensive line but Jankovic slows proceedings down and turns back.
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The Geordies are ‘ooh wayy’-ing Qarabag’s passes now. Not as much to keep them entertained than there was in the first half last week.
08:25pm
25 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Pretty quiet in St James’ Park tonight, as you’d expect. You can hear Eddie Howe barking instructions at his players, this the sort of game where fringe players have quite a bit of pressure to perform for their manager. One such player, Joelinton, taking on players a lot and beating them but every time the ball is worked wide the cross is blocked.
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‘Only one Kevin Keegan’ is the latest chant.
08:22pm
22 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
‘Keeper Kochalski is passed back to as Qarabag struggle to break Newcastle’s midfield down. He’s caught in possession by Osula but the ball is out safely for a goal-kick. Bizarre moment to choose to try and back heel yourself out of trouble.
08:20pm
20 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Naturally the camera is zooming in on the three teenagers on Newcastle’s bench, 19-year-old goalkeeper Aidan Harris (20 years younger than John Ruddy next to him), Leo Shahar and Sean Neave will all be desperate to get on tonight.
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Shame, then, that Shahar is caught yawning!
More Newcastle possession, but Qarabag are camping nine players on the edge of their box. Damage limitation.
08:18pm
17 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Joelinton drives into the box, driving through players as if they’re not there. They stand off him, just moments after Barnes has a penalty shout dismissed, but his shot is straight at Kochalski in goal.
08:16pm
15 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
William Osula needs a goal, or more, today. The ball comes into the box and he takes an unnecessary touch to squander a second good chance of the evening.
08:15pm Analysis
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‘All the fight of a carrier bag’
Qarabag have offered all the fight of a carrier bag. Newcastle have scored twice inside the opening six minutes and, just as they did in Baku, look like they could score plenty more tonight.
I’ve liked the look of Alex Murphy so far. This is the 21-year-old’s first start for his boyhood club but he won an important tackle early on and has even been demanding the ball from senior players in tight spaces. Murphy was on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One last season and would have been sent out on loan again in January if Newcastle had not lost Tino Livramento to another lengthy injury lay off.
08:12pm
10 mins: Newcastle 2 Qarabag 0 (8-1)
Corner now for the hosts as Medina blocks a cross, twisting his angle in doing so.
The ‘training match’ cliche demonstrated as Newcastle attempt a low pass into the box style corner routine which is cleared. Newcastle back on the ball prett quickly.
08:06pm Goals
Goal Newcastle!
No glitch on your feed, Joelinton with a second, 80 seconds after restart!
This happened in the first leg too, Qarabag pressed on the restart. Woltemade wins it back, Harvey Barnes gets up the left, crosses in and Joelinton volleys in, no chance for the ‘keeper.
I’d suggest Luke Edwards’s pre-match analysis that Anthony Gordon is ‘seething’ is getting more accurate by the second.
08:05pm Goals
Goal Newcastle!
301 away fans here, but no empty Newcastle seats in seems.
And Sandro Tonali opens the scoring! Third time lucky on the rebound!
Newcastle seeming almost bored in possession and a cross comes in. Dan Burn has a go, it’s saved and parried out a few yards. Barnes dinks it back in, Osula misses a header he really should score and Tonali gratefully takes the rebound. His first ever Champions League goal.
08:01pm
Kick off: Newcastle 0 Qarabag 0 (6-1)
Alex Murphy wins a tackle early doors to settle some nerves on his first start for the club.
07:59pm
Kick off next…
A win tonight, disregarding aggregate scores, would take Newcastle to their most wins in a Champions League campaign, beating the five they won in 2002-03.
A big Eddie Howe tifo in St James’ Park.
We’ve just been told Qarabag arrived as late as possible tonight, not surprised they dragged their feet!
07:55pm Analysis
‘I bet Anthony Gordon is quietly seething’
I can understand why Eddie Howe has not put out a reserve team tonight even though Newcastle United lead 6-1 on aggregate.
You need to get the job done and maintain momentum. A defeat this evening, while highly unlikely to lead to their exit from the competition, would breed negativity.
Better to make sure of the win in the first half and then, hopefully, have the opportunity to bring on some of the youngsters like Sean Neave and Leo Shahar in the second to gain valuable experience.
I bet Anthony Gordon is quietly seething after he was named on the substitute’s bench. The England international has scored 10 goals in the Champions League and is only two behind tournament top scorer Kylian Mbappe. Given he scored four against Qarabag in the first leg he would have fancied closing that gap tonight.
07:49pm
What awaits the winner, and other English interest
Small matter of Chelsea or Barcelona awaiting the winner in the round of 16. First leg scheduled for 9th or 11th of March.
Some potentially enticing fixtures ready for the next round. Atletico Madrid will play Liverpool or Tottenham, while whichever of Chelsea or Barcelona don’t play Newcastle (or Qarabag) will play PSG or Monaco.
Liverpool and Tottenham’s other knockout match to keep an eye on is Juventus and Galatasaray, which is preferable.
First seed Arsenal await any of Atalanta or Dortmund (0-2), Leverkusen or Olympiacos (2-0).
City the final English team left, they could face Real Madrid or Benfica (1-0), Inter or Bodo/Glimt (1-3).
07:38pm
A recap of the first leg:
Game, set and match after only a quarter of this fixture, after Newcastle scored five in the first half of the first leg, could’ve been more but for some good saves by Mateus Kochalski.
Arguably it was over even sooner, Anthony Gordon getting his first of four with a real striker’s finish after two minutes, running in behind and slotting one into the bottom left. Thiaw’s header followed just five minutes later.
Gordon got his second just after the half hour mark from the penalty spot, and secured the match ball just moments after the restart as a result of some good pressing. A dreamy first half was capped off with another penalty after Kochalski brought him down after a defensive mix-up, before Elvin Jafarguliyev got Qarabag’s goal, advancing forward from left back to score from a tight angle.
A much quieter second half had a 25 minute stalemate broken by Jacob Murphy’s deflected effort outside the box. Always tough to keep the foot down after such a rampant first half. Full report here.
07:26pm
Exclusive: Newcastle planning regeneration project
Newcastle United are looking at a major regeneration project as part of a plan to build a new stadium next to St James’ Park.
Telegraph Sport understands the club is getting closer to deciding whether to rebuild their current home or move into a new stadium with a capacity that could rise as high as 68,000 on part of Leazes Park.
It is understood the club has held conversations with the government about securing public money to help finance the regeneration of the surrounding area, although it has been made clear that money would not be used to construct the new stadium.
Read Luke Edwards’s full piece here: Newcastle United plan major regeneration project alongside new stadium
07:09pm
Qarabag team news
It’s predicted they’ll match Newcastle’s 4231.
Mateus Kochalski,
Elvin Jafarguliyev, Kevin Medina, Badavi Huseynov (c), Matheus Silva,
Marko Jankovic, Pedro Bicalho,
Abdoullah Zoubir, Joni Montiel, Dani Bolt,
Camilo Duran.
Two changes from last week, Huseynov in at centre back for the injured Bahlul Mustafazade, Bolt in for Cape Verde international Leandro Andrade.
06:52pm
Newcastle’s XI
Sven Botman returns from a short-term injury lay-off, and will be accompanied by Alex Murphy in the defensive line. The Republic of Ireland born 21-year-old is starting for the first time in a Newcastle shirt tonight – plenty of experience to accompany him.
Joe Willock also makes way from the starting team for Joelinton, while Nick Woltemade continues in midfield. William Osula is the man to replace a rested Anthony Gordon.
06:48pm
A procession for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle
Good evening and welcome to our coverage of the second leg of Newcastle’s knockout play-off vs Qarabag. Eddie Howe’s men coasted to a 6-1 victory in the first leg in Baku, so there is a sense tonight will be a procession.
Unsurprisingly, no team has ever surrendered a five goal lead aggregate lead in major European competitions.
It therefore could be a good chance for Howe to continue boosting confidence into players who have been struggling in the league as of late. Anthony Gordon scored four first half goals from centre forward last Wednesday, but struggled to get himself into the game in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on the weekend. Newcastle were able to get their speedster in behind against City’s high line – Qarabag will surely have to play with one tonight – but he lacked players to link up with. Howe seems to be backing the Gordon up top, Nick Woltemade in the midfield selection for the remainder of the season so any chance to gel that combination, with next year’s European hopes hanging by a thread, should be taken.
Conversely, it could be a chance for Howe to get minutes into some young legs and keep his bench fresh. Malik Thiaw, who scored in the first leg, is suspended and Fabian Schar and Emil Krafth are still injured, so there’s a perfect opportunity to re-introduce Sven Botman who returned to training this week and is awaiting the results of a late fitness test.
Yoane Wissa was also back in training, so could come into start – it would do some of Newcastle’s front line players no harm to have a rest with the result all but secure having travelled from Birmingham to Baku to Manchester to home all within the last 10 days. William Osula is another player who could do with some minutes up front – he has struggled for goals this season.
Plenty of chance to experiment or really turn the screw for Newcastle, hopefully Gurban Gurbanov has told his players to chase the impossible so we can enjoy an open game. This is their first ever knockout match in the Champions League, nothing to lose!
Stay tuned for team news, build up and live coverage here on Telegraph Sport!
