Newcastle United found a way to win when it mattered most on Wednesday night, edging past Fulham in the League Cup thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time goal at St. James’ Park.
It was not a classic by any stretch, with both sides struggling to create clear chances, but knockout football often comes down to moments. This time, Newcastle’s moment arrived through a teenager who refused to be overawed by the occasion.
Lewis Miley was the unlikely hero, rising highest in the 92nd minute to head home from a perfectly delivered Sandro Tonali corner.
That single action booked Newcastle’s place in the semi-finals and kept alive their hopes of defending the trophy. Yet focusing only on the goal would do Miley a disservice, because his overall performance told a much bigger story.
Forced by injuries to reshuffle his back line, Eddie Howe took a bold decision by deploying Miley at right-back. It was a move that raised eyebrows before kick-off, given that Miley is naturally a central midfielder and still very early in his career.
What followed, however, was a calm, mature display that made the experiment look inspired rather than desperate.
Miley played with intelligence and bravery, rarely diving in and often reading Fulham’s attacks before they became dangerous. He competed strongly in duels, stood up well in the air, and showed a level of defensive discipline that many seasoned defenders would be proud of.
Despite being out of position, he never looked like a weakness for Fulham to target. Instead, he looked composed, confident, and fully at ease with the responsibility placed on his shoulders.
Beyond the numbers, there was something refreshing about Miley’s energy and hunger. He tracked runners, stayed switched on late into the game, and still had the composure to attack the ball in the box when the chance came.
With Tino Livramento forced off with a knee issue, Miley’s performance may have handed Howe a useful option for the weeks ahead. It also highlighted how valuable versatility and fearlessness can be in a squad stretched by injuries.
While Miley was earning praise, his heroics also masked the struggles of others. Newcastle might have been heading for penalties, or worse, had it not been for his late intervention.
One player in particular was fortunate not to be at the centre of post-match criticism, and that was Joe Willock.
Willock’s Newcastle career promised so much when it began. His loan spell from Arsenal during the second half of the 2020/21 season was electric, with goals flowing freely and his forward runs from midfield catching opponents off guard.
That form convinced Newcastle to invest heavily, spending £25 million to bring him in permanently. Since then, however, his influence has steadily declined.
Season after season, the goals have dried up, and his overall impact on games has faded. Against Fulham, his performance summed up the concerns many supporters now have.
He struggled badly in duels, offered little protection in midfield, and failed to contribute creatively going forward. For a central midfielder, he was strangely anonymous, barely involved in the flow of the game and unable to impose himself physically or technically.
To put his decline into perspective, the table below shows Joe Willock’s goal output across his Newcastle and Arsenal spells:
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | 12 | 0 |
| 2024/25 | 41 | 2 |
| 2023/24 | 14 | 2 |
| 2022/23 | 43 | 3 |
| 2021/22 | 31 | 2 |
| 2020/21 | 31 | 11 |
The contrast is stark. From a player who once scored in seven consecutive games, Willock has become someone who rarely threatens the goal.
His lack of defensive contribution against Fulham only added to the frustration, as he failed to make tackles or interceptions and was often second best in physical contests.
The difference was clear when Tonali replaced him late on. In a short cameo, the Italian international showed sharper passing, stronger dueling, and delivered the decisive assist that won the match. It underlined the gap in quality and confidence between the two midfielders right now.
This was not an isolated off-night for Willock. His Premier League performances this season have followed a similar pattern, with no goals, no assists, and very limited creative output. For a team aiming to compete consistently at the top end of the table, that simply is not enough.
Lewis Miley’s rise is a positive story for Newcastle, one that speaks to youth, courage, and smart coaching. Joe Willock’s situation, however, poses a tougher question.
Based on current form, Eddie Howe may need to be ruthless. Loyalty can only stretch so far, and right now, Miley looks like the future, while Willock increasingly looks like a player whose best days on Tyneside may already be behind him.
