Sandro Tonali’s return to the pitch after a 10-month suspension made headlines as Newcastle triumphed over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup on penalties. Sean Longstaff emerged as the hero, scoring the winning spot-kick after Ibrahim Sangare and Taiwo Awoniyi missed efforts for Forest.
The Italian midfielder, Tonali, who served a lengthy ban for breaching betting rules, showcased his skills during the 60 minutes he played at the City Ground before being replaced. This marked a significant moment in his comeback journey.
Joe Willock set the tone for the Magpies by swiftly giving them the lead, hooking in a rebound after Forest’s debutant Carlos Miguel parried Alexander Isak’s shot into his path. The action-packed early minutes could have seen Newcastle doubling their lead when Isak sent Tonali through on goal, only to be denied by Miguel’s save.
Unfortunately, Newcastle faced a setback when Willock, who had missed the end of last season with an Achilles problem, had to leave the pitch due to what appeared to be a thigh injury. Not to be outdone, Forest leveled the score through Jota Silva’s outstanding half-volley, which found the net via the woodwork. This marked Jota’s first start and first goal for the club, adding an extra layer of excitement to the match.
The game also featured the debuts of several players, including Brazilian Miguel, teenage German right-back Eric da Silva Moreira, Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno, and Paraguay forward Ramon Sosa. The action on the pitch continued with Newcastle’s summer signing, Elliot Anderson, coming close to scoring against his former club, only for his lob to narrowly miss the target.
As the match progressed, both teams had opportunities to secure victory, with Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Lewis Hall, and Anthony Gordon notably coming close for the Magpies. Ultimately, the intense encounter culminated in a penalty shootout, with Joelinton experiencing a mix of emotions as his spot-kick was saved by Miguel. However, all of his teammates managed to convert their penalties, securing a hard-fought victory for Newcastle and a place in round three, where they are scheduled to face League Two side AFC Wimbledon in an away fixture.
This thrilling encounter provided fans with a rollercoaster of emotions and plenty of memorable moments, solidifying the excitement and unpredictability that the Carabao Cup is known for.
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