EFL Cup — Newcastle 1-0 AFC Wimbledon - Match Report: Instantly forgettable

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Mediocre game, but enough to host Chelsea in the 4th Round.

Newcastle United secured a narrow 1-0 win over League Two side AFC Wimbledon at St James' Park in their postponed third-round matchup.

The Magpies needed a dubious penalty put in from the spot by center-back Fabian Schär in first-half stoppage time to book their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

Eddie Howe's side struggled to break down a resilient Wimbledon defense, but Schär's spot-kick was enough to see them through to a home tie against Chelsea in the next round.

Newcastle made eight changes from their previous XI at last weekend's Premier League match against Manchester City and surely looked sluggish and disjointed throughout much of the first half.

The visitors frustrated the Magpies and limited their chances for the longest part, even though Howe still deployed the likes of Joelinton, Joe Willock, and Harvey Barnes in the starting XI, as well as getting even better players on the field off the pine.

It wasn't until a clumsy foul by Joe Piggott on Miguel Almirón following a poorly executed short corner that Newcastle were awarded a penalty. After a brief consultation between the referee and linesman, the decision stood, and Schär stepped up to convert from 12 yards, sending Newcastle into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

Bruno Guimarães was introduced at the break, followed by Anthony Gordon on the hour mark. While their arrival did quicken Newcastle's tempo, Wimbledon's defense remained stout—or NUFC simply incapable of stringing two passes together.

Despite having much of the possession in the second half, Newcastle struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, with Wimbledon goalkeeper Owen Goodman forced into just one save.

After the game, Howe acknowledged his team's below-par performance and called out all living and breathing Geordies dressed in black and white stripes.

"We didn't move the ball quickly enough," Howe said. "We weren't dynamic enough, but job done.

"Sometimes these can be important games in creating a cup run. Instantly forgettable," Howe finished.

Newcastle will host Chelsea in the fourth round at some point in the week commencing on Oct. 28, with a trip to Everton coming this weekend.