Newcastle United secured their spot in the FA Cup fourth round with a 3-1 victory over League Two side Bromley at St James’ Park on Sunday. Despite a shock opener from the visitors, the Magpies rallied to overturn the deficit, with standout performances from Lewis Miley and William Osula.
How the Game Unfolded
The game began with a stunning upset in the making as Bromley took the lead in the early stages. Cameron Congreve curled a beautiful shot past Martin Dubravka, giving the League Two side an unexpected advantage.
Newcastle responded swiftly through Lewis Miley, who marked his return from a long-term injury with a thunderous strike to level the score. The 19-year-old midfielder, making a rare appearance, was the standout performer in the first half, driving Newcastle forward.
The Magpies dominated possession, enjoying 86% of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, but Bromley’s disciplined defense kept the scoreline at 1-1 heading into halftime.
Eddie Howe wasted no time in the second half, introducing Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes. The changes paid immediate dividends as Gordon calmly converted a penalty three minutes after the restart to give Newcastle the lead.
William Osula, making a rare start, added a third with a spectacular strike, netting his first goal for the club. The comfortable margin allowed Howe to hand 17-year-old Trevan Sanusi his competitive debut in the latter stages. Newcastle managed the game professionally to seal a 3-1 win.
Player Ratings (4-3-3)
Newcastle United
- GK: Martin Dubravka – 6.1/10
Had little to do apart from Congreve’s early strike. - RB: Kieran Trippier – 8.0/10
A composed performance, contributing defensively and offensively. - CB: Fabian Schar – 7.2/10
Solid at the back, dealing with Bromley’s sporadic attacks. - CB: Lloyd Kelly – 6.6/10
Struggled at times but improved as the game progressed. - LB: Matt Targett – 8.7/10
Provided energy down the left flank and assisted in maintaining width. - CM: Lewis Miley – 9.1/10
Player of the Match. Dominated the midfield, scored a brilliant equalizer, and dictated play. - CM: Sean Longstaff – 6.0/10
A quiet performance, overshadowed by Miley’s brilliance. - CM: Joelinton – 6.4/10
Industrious but lacked his usual impact. - RW: Miguel Almiron – 7.6/10
Energetic as always, provided a constant threat on the right. - ST: William Osula – 8.0/10
Scored a stunning goal and worked tirelessly in the final third. - LW: Harvey Barnes – 6.6/10
Struggled to make an impact before being substituted at halftime.
Substitutes
- Anthony Gordon (46′ for Barnes) – 7.2/10
Made an immediate impact with a coolly taken penalty. - Bruno Guimaraes (46′ for Joelinton) – 7.7/10
Controlled the midfield and added composure. - Trevan Sanusi (69′ for Osula) – 5.8/10
A quiet debut for the youngster. - Lewis Hall (69′ for Targett) – 6.5/10
Solid cameo to help see out the game. - Sandro Tonali (84′ for Almiron) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
Key Talking Points
Lewis Miley Shines on Return
The 19-year-old midfielder was the star of the show, marking his comeback with a stunning goal and a commanding performance in midfield. His maturity and composure were pivotal in Newcastle’s comeback.
Bromley’s Brave Effort
The League Two side can hold their heads high after a spirited display. Cameron Congreve’s early strike gave them hope, and they defended valiantly for much of the game.
Eddie Howe’s Tactical Adjustments
Howe’s halftime changes turned the tide in Newcastle’s favor. The introduction of Gordon and Guimaraes added quality and composure, ensuring the Magpies avoided a potential upset.
What’s Next?
Newcastle progress to the FA Cup fourth round and will look to build on their strong domestic form as they continue to compete on multiple fronts. Bromley, meanwhile, can take pride in their performance as they return to their League Two campaign.
This was a professional, if not entirely convincing, performance from Newcastle, with Lewis Miley’s brilliance and William Osula’s strike the standout moments in a hard-fought victory.
