Match Preview: Newcastle United

24 August 2022

It’s a big one under the Prenton Park lights as Rovers face Premier League opposition in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

At the earliest stage possible to face a team of this quality, Rovers will face a stern test against Eddie Howe’s men who since he joined on Tyneside, have seen the entire club regalvanised particularly after a successful takeover.

Rovers managed to see off higher league opposition in the first round of the competition after drawing 2-2 with Accrington Stanley before defeating them 11-12 on penalties at the Wham Stadium.

But this was most certainly be a tougher test on the Wirral as both sides look to progress into the third round early in their respective campaigns.

Newcastle have started their campaign brightly, beating promoted side Nottingham Forest on the opening day before picking up a respectable point away at Brighton and Hove Albion, a place which has seen many big clubs struggle to take points from over the past number of years.

They did drop points against Manchester City last time out after a frantic 3-3 draw, but their attention won’t be dropped as the cup tie approaches with Eddie Howe no stranger to defying the odds.

Team News:

Lee O'Connor returned from injury last week and should be available for selection.

Joel Mumbongo is sidelined with a muscle strain whilst Tom Davies, Kieron Morris, Luke Robinson and Charlie Jolley are all out too.

One to Watch: Bruno Guimarães

A Brazilian international, Guimarães arrive on Tyneside in January from French side Lyon for a reported fee of around £40 million.

After impressing in the black and white of Newcastle, he will be hoping to be the Toon’s key cog this year as they look to push on under new ownership.

He’s played every Premier League minute so far this campaign and whilst it remains to be seen if he will make an appearance at Prenton Park, he’s got some of the best quality Newcastle possess.

Manager: Eddie Howe

Whilst still a relatively young manager at the age of 44, Eddie Howe has achieved some great things so far in his managerial career.

After taking over at Bournemouth in 2008 after featuring for them 200 times as a player, he took charge of the Cherries in League Two and was tasked with steering the club away from the relegation places having started the season on -17 points. After successfully avoiding the drop, they achieved promotion to League One the following year,

How decided to move up North as he took a job at Burnley, but the North didn’t last long for Howe who moved back to Bournemouth in 2012 and spent a further eight years at the Vitality Stadium.

In that time, Howe achieved three promotions in seven seasons and had led Bournemouth from facing the drop to the conference to the top division of English football, and as recognition for his achievements he was named Football League Manager of the Decade in 2015.

After Bournemouth were relegated to the Championship back in 2020, Howe resigned as manager and since took over at Newcastle united in November following on from a successful takeover at the club.

He was again tasked with avoiding relegation, and that he succeeded after 12 wins from the last 18 games of the season meaning they achieved an 11^th placed finish, a remarkable achievement.

Match Coverage:

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Match reaction from Micky Mellon and a player will follow on our website and YouTube channel.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Newcastle United

24 August 2022

Tranmere Rovers fell to a narrow defeat against Premier League side Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Despite taking the lead through Elliott Nevitt and putting everything into the game, goals from Jamal Lascelles and Chris Wood was enough to edge the contest for the visitors.

It was an electric atmosphere inside Prenton Park and Lee O’Connor set the tone for the night with a firm challenge in the middle of the park before Jacob Murphy tested the hands of Hewelt with a low shot.

Murphy again set his sights in the 12 minute, cutting inside from the left and curling a shot a few yards over the crossbar.

Youngster Elliott Anderson was next to try his luck, picking up the ball 25 yards out and driving forward before dragging his shot wide of the left hand post.

On the 21st minute Rovers shocked the Toon. A brilliant one touch passing move resulted in Dacres-Cogley breaking the offside trap and squared it to Nevitt who cooly beat Darlow to send the Tranmere faithful into raptures.

Rovers managed the game really well for the next 15 minutes after a barrage of crosses into the box from the away side.

Newcastle levelled the scoring just before half time, a goal that wasn’t much deserved. A corner from the right was headed towards goal by Lascelles, Turnbull blocked with his chest but the rebound fell nicely for Lascelles who rifled in from close range.

Tranmere came out of the traps quickly in the second half and Jameson nearly prodded Rovers back in front. Dacres-Cogley’s long throw bounced into his path but his awkward volley from close range was blocked.

On the 52nd minute, it was another set piece that undone Tranmere. England international Kieran Trippier whipped in a dangerous corner and Chris Wood leapt highest at the front post to glance on and give Hewelt no chance in the Tranmere net.

Shortly after, Hewelt did magnificently well to keep Tranmere in it. Chris Wood got in behind and prodded a half volley towards goal but the Polish stopper reacted well to get a strong hand to it.

Tranmere had shouts for a penalty waved away when Byrne met McAlear’s back post corner and his header came back off a Newcastle player but the referee was having none of it.

The SWA were right behind the lads as the closing stages approached with Tranmere tackles flying in and Newcastle unable to get out of their half for a short period. Josh Hawkes’ cross was inches off Nevitt’s boot in the box and Darlow caught before it could creep in at the far post.

As Rovers pushed forward, Hewelt again was there to keep the one goal in it. Wood met another cross from the right but Hewelt produced an excellent save to tip over his bar from the thunderous header.

Tranmere piled on the pressure in added time but just didn’t have enough to take it to penalties in the tie. A valiant effort and a performance that Micky Mellon will want his players to back up on Saturday.

Tranmere team: Hewelt, Dacres-Cogley, Byrne, Turnbull, Jameson (Lewis 68’), Bristow, O’Connor, Nolan (Hawkes 60’), McAlear, Nevitt, Hemmings