Newcastle set up Chelsea tie after sinking Wimbledon in rescheduled tie

Fabian Schar penalty sees off stubborn resistance from League Two side in match rearranged because of sinkhole

A year on from Newcastle’s 4-1 Champions League dismantling of Paris St-Germain, Eddie Howe’s side negotiated an altogether different challenge to edge into the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Not that head coach Howe was too bothered about the manner of his side’s victory over League Two AFC Wimbledon last night.
But while Howe was relieved to have secured a tie against Chelsea at St James’ Park, his opposite number Johnnie Jackson was left “fuming” at the penalty decision which cost the Dons on Tyneside.
After 45 frustrating minutes for Newcastle, Fabian Schar stepped up from the spot in first-half stoppage time to score what proved to be the winning goal.
But Jackson was livid after referee Darren Bond initially ignored Newcastle’s penalty protests when Miguel Almiron went down under the challenge of Joe Pigott, only for the assistant to raise his flag after a delay.
“I’m fuming to be honest,” said Jackson. “The referee hasn’t given it, he’s in a good position, then the linesman decides to get involved. Like we’re not up against it enough coming here as the underdog, we don’t need a linesman getting involved, the referee is there to referee the game.”
The League Two Wimbledon did a much better job of coping with Newcastle than Luis Enrique’s superstars managed 12 months ago.
Newcastle were initially due to travel to Wimbledon last week but the game had to be postponed after torrential rainfall caused the River Wandle to burst its banks, resulting in a sinkhole to appear on the Plough Lane pitch.
More than £120,000 has been raised by Wimbledon supporters in the week since, including a £15,000 donation from Newcastle – prompting the 1,500 fans who travelled to the North East to unfurl a banner thanking their hosts for their support.
But Newcastle’s goodwill didn’t stretch to letting the League Two side advance – though Howe’s side were made to work against their lowly opponents. Even after their breakthrough, the hosts only managed a single shot on target in the second half.
Howe said: “It is instantly forgettable from our point of perspective, I don’t think that will live long in the memory.
“But I remember the season when we got to the final, the game against Tranmere, the first game, 1-0 down, that looked a really difficult game. We managed to scrape a victory that day, and it’s those wins that can sometimes create a cup run.”