Newcastle United defied their atrocious recent record in the FA Cup to reach the quarter-final stage for the first time in 14 years after they defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-2 on Tuesday evening. Just six places separate the Championship leaders and the Premier League strugglers, but Newcastle produced a thrilling and inspired performance to overcome the lower league opposition. The display was in stark contrast to their recent Premier League results, where Newcastle have failed to score in their last four matches, and manager Steve Bruce must learn from the win to reproduce the performance in the top-flight.
Newcastle have now scored as many goals in five FA Cup games (11) as they have in their past 14 Premier League matches, as per WhoScored. While all three of their ties have been against lower league opposition, it highlights the contrast in their ability to find the net in the Premier League, where they are the division’s lowest scorers on 24 goals. The West Brom performance was particularly telling though, as there is little to separate the Baggies and Newcastle in their respective places in the football pyramid.
At the Hawthorns, the Magpies were electric. Allan Saint-Maximin thumped a rasping long-range drive against the crossbar, which could have opened the scoring before Joelinton found some samba flair to provide an audacious backheel for Miguel Almiron to hammer into the top corner. The front three linked expertly and displayed the combination play Newcastle United fans have been clamouring for all season long.
One telling change Bruce made for the game was to use Valentino Lazaro as a midfielder, rather than a wing-back and he was incredibly effective in the role when freed of defensive responsibility, whilst Almiron thrived in the centre of the park. After experimenting all season long, Bruce may finally have found the formation that can get Newcastle firing on all cylinders, as they reverted to four at the back for the first time since being dismantled by Leicester City 3-0 on New Year’s Day.
Newcastle have neglected the FA Cup for a long time now, but after some thrilling displays, they could use the competition as inspiration to get back amongst the goals in the top-flight. In just six cup games this season they have scored half of their Premier League total, 12, as per WhoScored, and Bruce must use what he has learned to get his side back amongst the goals in the league.
