It ended Millwall 0 Newcastle United 1.
Ahead of each game we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the match.
An interesting game at the new Den.
Plenty to talk about after this Carabao Cup game.
United having 25 shots and 15 corners but having to wait until the 81st minute to score the classy team goal and Joe Willock finish that sent Newcastle United into the fourth round.
On this occasion it is David Punton:
POSITIVES
In the pink
Sporting a lovely lilac away strip they got the job done.
The main thing is to get through the early rounds and hope for a cup run of substance, such as in 2023 and 2025.
This game was always going to a battle.
Millwall’s not exactly an easy place to go and they’re making a decent fist of the Championship in this early stage of the season.
We went into the Lions’ den and came through unscathed.
It keeps up the great start to the season under Mathias Jaissle.
Willockinho
Bagging what turned out to be the winner on a night when we looked blunt in attack.
If Willock can rediscover his form then he can offer a lot of goals from midfield. That area just off the front is where he can thrive.
Capital gains
There were a few other good signs at the Den.
Schar came back in and was excellent and should have won us a penalty.
Lewis Hall was neat and tidy, fresh from claims that a new contract is imminent. He was able to lay on the pass for the all important winner.
The new boy Fernandez-Pardo put in a clever reverse pass in the build up to the goal. Hopefully there’s plenty more to come from him.
NEGATIVES
Could have been better?
The second half was a bit worse, certainly when compared to the first.
It was far from our fluent best. At times there was frustration.
It was a close game.
We’ll have to play a lot better than this down at Elland Road.
Getting shirty
Another poor refereeing display.
This time the man in the middle was Craig Pawson. He’s not very good is he?
He seemed determined to favour the underdog.
The shirt pull on Schar should have resulted in a penalty. VAR in the Premier League would be awarding that, surely.
Question marks here and there
It wasn’t the best night that Jacob Murphy had ever had and he seemed to be a focal point for the frustration.
I’m also not sure Jacob Ramsey took his chance either.
We did so much in the transfer window and yet Murphy is still getting starts. I assume Toure will get a chance very soon. He must do surely?
We were a tad blunt in attack. Wissa was not on his best game and we do miss Osula.
It was also a blow to lose Amar Dedic to what Matthias Jaissle said was feeling his hamstring and replaced at half-time as a precaution. That could potentially keep him out for a bit.