William Osula and Miguel Almiron fire blanks as Newcastle United stumble into round four
Newcastle United made hard work of it against League Two side Wimbledon - but got the job done at St James' Park.
As we close in on the 12-month anniversary of the 4-1 win over Paris St-Germain, this was a far cry from hosting Kylian Mbappe and co. And on a night when Newcastle fans could only watch on enviously at the teams in the Champions League enjoying exciting away days, if anything this contest was instantly forgettable, lacking cutting edge and entertainment.
The fact that it was decided by a spot-kick despite almost 80% possession by Newcastle summed up a lacklustre affair from the Magpies as they wasted good chances. For all Wimbledon's pluckiness they created next to nothing and Newcastle booked a place in the fourth round against Chelsea.
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The Magpies earned a corner in the second minute thanks to Lloyd Kelly after a forward run from the defender. But Wimbledon showed early efficiency by squeezing Newcastle out in the first real attack of the game.
Two minutes later Miguel Almiron slipped the ball to William Osula but again the lower league visitors were quick to crowd United out and the danger was cleared after Joe Lewis dispossessed the striker. Osula did not take a great first touch which contributed to the loss of an early opportunity.
Almiron had the ball in the net on 14 minutes but despite a tidy finish he was offside and the scores remained level. With 18 minutes gone, Sean Longstaff exchanged passes with Tino Livramento but the North Shields lad saw his shot easily gathered by Owen Goodman.
The first half reached the mid-way point, with Newcastle sitting at 79% possession but with the score level at 0-0. Harvey Barnes came closer on 26 minutes when he got free down the left but his right-footed curler flew just wide of the post.
Skipper for the night Fabian Schar picked out Almiron with a long ball over the top but despite taking the sting out of it, the Paraguay international blazed it over. With just 63 minutes of action in the legs this season perhaps signs of rustiness were inevitable for the ex-Atlanta star.
Osula was afforded a sight of goal 12 minutes before the break but sent it high and wide as another chance went begging. In a drab first half one of the few talking points was the moment Martin Dubravka went down injured.
And who would replace him if he had to come off? John Ruddy was sent out to warm up first before being followed by Greek international Odysseas Vlachomidos.
The game heated up when Newcastle were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half-time. A short corner fell into the path of Almiron who was upended in the box before Schar stepped up to stroke it past Goodman and hand Newcastle the lead.
Schar's penalty was not even in the corner and while Goodman did go the right way he reacted too late and Newcastle had a precious advantage to go in 1-0 up at half-time.
The £20million signing from Nottingham Forest had not featured yet but got his opportunity in the second half. The Greece star was joined by Bruno Guimaraes who replaced Barnes during the interval.
A couple of half-chances dropped Newcastle's way at the start of the second half but the lead remained at just one. There was an air of frustration about things for United on 53 minutes when Longstaff pulled back Huseyin Biler and was booked.
Howe called for two more of his "A-team" just after the hour mark when Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon emerged from the bench with Joelinton and Emil Krafth making way.
Gordon got in on the act mid-way into the second half with a good run and cross from the left to the back post for Almiron. But a poor effort from Almiron resulted in the ball harmlessly brushing the side netting.
Joe Willock slipped in Osula with 21 minutes left but his effort was fired wide at the Gallowgate End. Bruno trickled a pass to Schar in the 73rd minute but it was sent over the top from 30 yards.
Bruno's deflected effort from outside the box with 10 minutes left and from the resultant set-piece, Almiron eventually hit one low at Goodman but he held on well.
Longstaff won a corner with seven minutes to go as Newcastle pushed for the insurance goal. Hall swirled the ball to the back post but the Dons cleared their lines again.
Wimbledon's Riley Harbottle at least warmed the gloves of Vlachodimos but Newcastle had done enough. They can only be left to wonder what might have been if the game had taken place at Plough Lane.
Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire)
Attendance: 51,739