Newcastle 0-1 Cambridge United: Joe Ironside seals famous victory for League One side as they stun Eddie Howe’s men in front of a sold-out St James’ Park to deliver Kieran Trippier a debut to forget
- Newcastle United fans sold out their FA Cup third-round tie against League One Cambridge United
- The hosts wasted a number of decent first-half openings, with Jacob Murphy missing a number of chances
- Cambridge grabbed the decisive goal in the second half when Joe Ironside swivelled to fire home
- It made for a debut to forget for Kieran Trippier following his £12million move from Atletico Madrid
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Cambridge United match-winner Joe Ironside once idolised Alan Shearer and would travel up from his native Middlesbrough to watch his hero. Either of those would be better than what Newcastle have in attack right now.
Take nothing away from Mark Bonner’s League One side. They were excellent and deserved what should rank as a genuine FA Cup upset, given the hosts named their strongest available XI – including £12million debutant Kieran Trippier – and were backed by a sell-out crowd.
But Newcastle were woeful, especially in the final third where 24 shots passed without conversion. At least Ironside or Shearer – a lower-league journeyman and long-retired club legend – would represent a recognised striker with some knowledge of the role.
Cambridge United players celebrate after Joe Ironside’s goal puts them in front against Newcaslte at St James’ Park
The Cambridge United No 9 scuffed home the loose ball inside the Newcastle United box in the second half
Ironside looks to the 5,000 travelling fans inside St James’ Park as he celebrates putting the League One side in front
Instead, Eddie Howe used two wingers and a wing-back in the position that must now rank as their top transfer priority with the injured Callum Wilson facing months on the sidelines.
Ironside will take the headlines for his close-range finish on 56 minutes, but goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov was undoubtedly Cambridge’s man-of-the-match.
The first half felt like shooting practice at times for Newcastle, and boy do they need it. Yes, Mitov played like the proverbial cat, but the Premier League side were as weak as kittens in front of goal.
They had their club-record signing on the field, a player who arrived as a £40million striker. But here was a reminder as to why Joelinton has looked far more comfortable as a midfielder under Howe in recent weeks.
Jacon Murphy was guilty of missing Newcastle’s best chances in the first half, and also saw one ruled out by the linesman
Newcastle debutant Kieran Trippier saw his first game for the club spoiled following his move from Atletico Madrid
Allan Saint-Maximin attempts tries his luck from the edge of the area in the second-half, but cannot find the target
Twice he found himself free inside the area in the opening 20 minutes but, on both occasions, he elected to pass. And pass poorly, too.
Allan Saint-Maximin had started as the lone frontman before wing-back Jacob Murphy had a go. He, in fairness, at least got into positions to score, even if he never really looked like doing so.
Mitov blocked Murphy’s goal-bound curler on 24 minutes and the makeshift frontman was again denied by the Bulgarian before the break. It looked a certain goal when he swept on target from eight yards but the effort gave Mitov half a chance and he took it, somehow clawing clear inside the goalmouth.
But the best save of the half arrived in stoppage-time when Murphy drilled for the top corner only for Mitov to brush against the crossbar. The keeper wore a smile as wide as the Tyne and so he should.
Triipier takes charge of a dead-ball situation in front of goal but can only drive the ball into the Cambridge United wall
Eddie Howe speaks to his assistant Jason Tindall as they watch their side struggle against the side two divisions below them
Eleven minutes into the second half and there were 5,000 beaming faces in the away end high above the Leazes End goal into which Ironside hooked home after a game of pinball inside the six-yard area.
Newcastle’s response was limp and only in the 94th minute did they look like forcing extra-time when Joelinton met a corner and headed on goal.
But it should have come as no surprise when Mitov extended his fingertips and diverted over the crossbar. In truth, it would have been an injustice had it gone in.
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan (second left) was alongside Amanda Staveley to watch the FA Cup third round tie
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