Anthony Gordon sees Newcastle glimpse, Alexander Isak moment and Southampton taunted – 5 things

Newcastle United have moved one step closer to Wembley after Joelinton fired his side to a 1-0 win against Southampton in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

The Brazilian, who had a goal controversially disallowed in the first half, finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute after being teed up by substitute Alexander Isak. Southampton had a goal ruled out themselves when Adam Armstrong’s effort was chalked off for a handball a couple of minutes later before Duje Caleta-Car was later sent off for a second yellow.

Here are five things we learned from the game.

READ MORE: Southampton vs Newcastle United highlights

Wasteful Newcastle eventually make breakthrough

Going into this game, Newcastle had only scored four goals in their previous six games in all competitions. You had to go back to October since Callum Wilson found the back of the net while Miguel Almiron had not got on the scoresheet since Boxing Day. It was a far cry from Newcastle’s last visit to St Mary’s when the Magpies ran riot in a 4-1 victory back in November.

Newcastle have been creating chances, but Howe’s side have lacked a cutting edge in recent weeks and that was again apparent at St Mary’s on Tuesday night when, time and time again, the visitors failed to hit the target. Indeed, Newcastle’s first effort of the night set the tone when Joe Willock skied his effort over the bar in the second minute when he should have at least made goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu work after Miguel Almiron slipped him in.

Willock blazed over on the volley in the 34th minute when Kieran Trippier’s teasing cross picked him out at the back post and fellow midfielder Sean Longstaff also fired over just after the break following Almiron’s cutback. If they were good chances, well, Joelinton’s subsequent opportunity in the 53rd minute was glorious. With the goal gaping, Joelinton, somehow, put the ball over the bar from Almiron’s cross.

Howe soon turned to his bench and threw on Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak. It was Isak who made a game-changing contribution in the 73rd minute when the Sweden international left Duje Caleta-Car for dead and raced past him down the right before unselfishly playing the ball across goal to lay it on a plate for Joelinton, who could not miss. It could prove a precious goal not only in this tie but, also, in Newcastle’s season.

Newcastle are one step closer to Wembley

While reaching a first League Cup semi-final in 47 years was a huge step forward for Newcastle, given the club’s poor record in the competition, the Magpies have achieved nothing yet. In Howe’s own words: “To say you got to a semi-final means nothing, ultimately. You want to get one step further and I know the players feel the same way.”

Newcastle, remarkably, are just 90 minutes away from a Wembley final. That is a sentence worth repeating. No wonder the 3,200 Geordies in the away end repeatedly sang: “Tell me Ma, me Ma. I won’t be home for tea. We’re going to Wembley.”

Newcastle, crucially, have a lead to take into the second-leg next week after seeing the game out and frustrated Southampton defender Duje Caleta-Car was sent off in the 86th minute and taunted by substitute Jacob Murphy, who waved him off the field. Newcastle players and staff, alike, will now be desperate to get the job done. What an atmosphere it promises to be at St James’.

Nick Pope steps up yet again

It has been so long since Newcastle conceded a goal against top-flight opposition that you had to go back to the last time the Magpies played at St Mary’s way back on November 6. Even then, Romain Perraud’s goal was a mere consolation in Southampton’s 4-1 defeat.

Newcastle, remarkably, have kept 10 clean sheets in 11 games since then. This side live for shutouts and, in Pope, they have a towering last line of defence.

The goalkeeper made two huge saves in the space of just two minutes midway through the second half to deny Che Adams on both occasions. The first was a smart save with his feet when Adams was through one-on-one in the 65th minute while the second was a smart reaction stop down to his left to keep out the striker’s shot on the turn.

It is an obvious point to make but that ability to keep the opposition out will win Newcastle games and, indeed, ties like this.

Joelinton has goal controversially disallowed

Newcastle supporters were jumping up and down in delirious delight. The bench were on their feet punching the air. Joelinton had just appeared to fire the visitors in front in the 39th minute.

It all came about when Joe Willock’s effort was parried by Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu into danger. Callum Wilson was first to it before Mohammed Salisu made a remarkable block and the ball ricocheted off Joelinton’s chest before the Brazilian lashed it into the net. However, Newcastle’s celebrations were short-lived after the goal was controversially disallowed by referee Stuart Attwell for handball and VAR did not feel the need to intervene.

VAR did feel the need to get involved in the 75th minute, however, after Adam Armstrong bundled home against his boyhood club after handling the ball.

Anthony Gordon will want to be a part of this

Among those who will have been watching on from afar is Anthony Gordon at a time when there is growing confidence around the club that Newcastle may be able to sign the Everton forward this month. The joyous scenes in the away end after Joelinton’s goal will have given Gordon just a glimpse of what life could be like at Newcastle.

Gordon is a long-term target of Eddie Howe’s and, while it appears a divisive move, that interest should not come as a huge surprise. Gordon is a raw, mouldable player and the kind of winger Howe likes working with, who will dig in for his team-mates when they do not have the ball. Indeed, when it comes to tackles, blocks, clearances and interceptions, Gordon’s defensive numbers are already eye-catching.

Given his speed – only Mykhailo Mudryk had recorded a faster speed in the Premier League this season than Gordon’s 36.61km/hr -this is a player who could yet become more consistent in the final third with the right guidance. The next few days should be interesting.

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