Newcastle United’s hard-fought win over Fulham may have secured a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but it also brought fresh concerns that could not be ignored. While the late victory sparked celebrations inside St James’ Park, the fallout from the match has left Eddie Howe facing yet another defensive headache at the worst possible time.
The Magpies edged past Fulham with a dramatic 2–1 win, sealed by a stoppage-time goal from Lewis Miley. Yoane Wissa had given Newcastle the lead early on, only for Sasa Lukic to respond for the visitors.
When penalties looked almost certain, Miley stepped up with a moment that may define his young career. Yet despite the joy of reaching the last four, the game added further strain to an already stretched squad.
Newcastle are now set to be without one of their most experienced defenders when they face Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final next month.
Fabian Schar will miss the match through suspension after picking up another yellow card during the Fulham clash. It was a moment that might have gone unnoticed on a quieter night, but given Newcastle’s current injury list, it could prove costly.
Schar was booked in the first half for pulling back Raul Jimenez near the halfway line. It was his second booking in the competition, following another caution in the previous round against Tottenham.
Under Carabao Cup rules, that automatically triggers a one-match ban in the tournament. While the suspension does not affect league or FA Cup games, it rules him out of what is arguably Newcastle’s toughest fixture of the season so far.
This comes at a time when Newcastle’s defence is already operating on bare bones. Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn are all sidelined.
To make matters worse, Lewis Hall missed the Fulham match due to a minor hamstring issue, while Tino Livramento was forced off late on with a knee problem that immediately raised alarm bells.
Against Fulham, Howe was forced to improvise. Lewis Miley, a central midfielder by trade, started and finished the match at right-back.
On the opposite side, 21-year-old Alex Murphy filled in at left-back. That left Schar and Malick Thiaw as the only senior defenders available in central positions. It was a risky setup, born out of necessity rather than choice.
After the game, Howe did not hide his concern over Livramento’s injury. He admitted that the early signs were worrying, especially given the player’s history with knee problems.
The Newcastle boss also confirmed that Hall has a chance of returning in time for the upcoming league fixture against Chelsea, which offers at least a small boost amid the bad news.
Before Newcastle even reach the semi-final against Manchester City, they face a demanding run of fixtures. Five Premier League games are scheduled against Chelsea, Manchester United, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Leeds United, alongside an FA Cup tie against Bournemouth.
It is hoped that by the time City arrive at St James’ Park, several defenders will have returned to fitness.
There is cautious optimism around Jamaal Lascelles, who has recently returned to training. Trippier and Krafth are also expected to be back around the turn of the year.
However, there remains uncertainty surrounding Botman, whose recovery has been slow, and Livramento, who is still awaiting further assessment on his knee injury. Even with some players returning, losing Schar for the semi-final leaves a significant gap.
Schar’s absence is particularly frustrating because of his importance to the team. He offers experience, leadership, and composure in possession, all qualities that are vital against a side like Manchester City.
His understanding with teammates and his ability to play out from the back have been key parts of Howe’s system. Removing him from the equation forces yet another reshuffle in a defence that has barely had time to settle this season.
Looking ahead to the tie with City, Howe remained realistic about the challenge. He acknowledged that there are few games tougher than facing Pep Guardiola’s side, praising their quality and consistency.
At the same time, he reminded everyone that Newcastle have already beaten City once this season, a result that still carries belief within the squad.
That previous win will give Newcastle confidence, but repeating it without a settled defence will be a tall order. City are ruthless when weaknesses appear, and any lack of organisation or familiarity at the back can be punished quickly. Howe will need to be creative, calm, and perhaps a little brave in his selection choices.
For now, Newcastle’s focus must remain on navigating the busy schedule ahead while trying to nurse players back to fitness. The Fulham win showed the team’s resilience and spirit, qualities that have become hallmarks under Howe.
However, the growing list of injuries and suspensions continues to test the squad’s depth.
The absence of Fabian Schar against Manchester City is another reminder of how fine the margins are at this level. One booking, one moment of contact, can have lasting consequences.
Newcastle will hope that by the time the semi-final arrives, reinforcements are back on the pitch. Until then, Howe faces another difficult balancing act, trying to keep his team competitive while holding together a defence that is being pushed to its limits.
