Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players | OneFootball

We asked The Armchair Fan to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0.

The Toon kicked off this hastily rearranged League Cup fixture just three days after a fine result and performance against Man City.

Having experienced a cup final at Wembley just twenty months ago, it’s safe to say most NUFC fans were relishing the prospect of taking another step towards a return to the home of football (hopefully this time to lift something big and shiny).

Standing between them and a last sixteen clash with Chelsea, were a Wombles side who had tasted success against both Bromley and Ipswitch so far in this competition.

Tonight was always going to be a reflection of our squad depth, due to the fact it comes between crucial league matches against both Man City and the Merseyside Mackems.

A mix of youth and experience was likely, with a few fringe players hoping to show Eddie and Jason what they’re made of, as they stake a claim for a regular place in the starting eleven.

As such, we saw Dubravka, Krath, Almiron, Kelly and Osula all given their chance. Let’s take a look at how they and the rest of the team, got on:

Dubravka – 6

Made one very good save in the forty five minutes he played. Unfortunately, was injured in the process and had to be subbed off as a result.

Will hopefully be well enough to warm the bench on Saturday.

Schar – 8

As always, very composed on the ball.

Scored the winning goal when stroking home a penalty at the end of the first half.

Krath – 5

Very little to do, kept a clean sheet. Job done.

Livramento – 6

Looked busy, especially in the second half.

Great to have an attacking defender who shows a good degree of versatility.

Reads the game well and keeps Trippier on his toes. A class act.

Kelly – 5

Enthusiastic throughout.

Joelinton – 7

Ran things in the first half and was the best player on the pitch, until he was subbed off on sixty two minutes.

Barnes – 5

Looked to break the deadlock at 0-0 and cut inside at one point before blasting over the bar. Subbed off at half time. Hopefully saving himself for a winning goal on Sat.

Willock – 5

Looked busy but not yet match fit.

A brilliant player who will be an asset to NUFC this season. Another step on his road to recovery.

Longstaff – 6

Linked up well with Joelinton before hitting a shot straight at the keeper at the end of the first half. Solid squad player at present.

Almiron – 7

A decent match for Miggy who won the penalty that led to the winning goal and had the ball in the net himself early on for a disallowed effort.

I can’t see him being anything more than a squad player this season but a decent run out and didn’t put a foot wrong.

Osula – 6

Will be gutted he hasn’t broken his duck for NUFC.

Had two great chances but couldn’t find the net.

Had a brilliant pre-season and big things are to come for this young man. Looked solid.

Substitutes:

Vlachodimos – 5

Had nothing to do. Welcome to the Toon bonny lad.

Bruno – 8

Captained the side for the second half and looked calm, composed and entirely on top of things. One of the best players to have ever represented NUFC.

Hall – 6

A few surging runs from defence after coming on in the 62nd minute,  building on his brilliant display against Man City.

This lad is class and is growing into being a fixture in the first team for years to come.

Gordon – 6

Always looking to carry the ball forward.

Burn – N/A

Came on in the 90th minute for his home-town club. Happy days (especially if he collects an appearance bonus).

This wasn’t a match that will live long in the memory and, at times, had the feel of a friendly.

The only objective in cup football however, is to make it to the next round, so this is very much a case of ‘job done’.

Sterner tests await for Eddie Howe and the team, especially if they have ambitions of ending NUFC’s fifty six years wait for major silverware.

Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 – Tuesday 1 October 7.45pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Schar 45+1 pen

AFC Wimbledon:

Possession was Newcastle 78% Wimbledon 22%

Total shots were Newcastle 18 Wimbledon 2

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 Wimbledon 0

Corners were Newcastle 10 Wimbledon 1

Touches in the box Newcastle 41 Wimbledon 8

Newcastle United team v AFC Wimbledon:

Dubravka (Vlachodimos 46), Livramento, Krafth (Hall 62), Schar (Burn 90), Kelly, Joelinton (Gordon 62), Willock, Longstaff, Barnes (Bruno 46), Osula, Almiron

Unused subs:

Ruddy, Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy

Attendance: 51,739 (1,400 Wimbledon)

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after AFC Wimbledon match – Read HERE)

(Newcastle v Chelsea date, time and TV details made public for Carabao Cup last 16 game – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 AFC Wimbledon 0 – Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed so far to end of November:

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 30 October – Newcastle v Chelsea (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports