Newcastle United’s dramatic FA Cup win over AFC Bournemouth came with a heavy emotional and physical price, as another defensive injury left Eddie Howe facing yet more difficult decisions at a critical stage of the season.
While the Magpies showed incredible spirit to edge through on penalties after a chaotic 3–3 draw, the night ended with real concern following an “absolutely devastating” injury setback for Tino Livramento.
The match itself had everything a cup tie promises. Played at a frantic pace under the lights at St James’ Park, both teams went for the win from the first whistle. Newcastle finally broke the deadlock shortly after the break when Harvey Barnes found the net in the 50th minute, giving the home crowd something to celebrate.
That joy was short-lived, however, as Bournemouth responded with real bite. Alex Scott struck first, before David Brooks added another soon after, turning the game on its head in a matter of minutes.
Newcastle refused to give in. As the clock ticked deep into stoppage time, Anthony Gordon stepped up to convert a crucial penalty in the 95th minute, dragging his side into extra time when defeat looked certain.
The momentum swung again late on, with Gordon turning provider for Barnes in the 118th minute, a goal that appeared to have settled the contest at last. Yet, in true cup fashion, there was one final twist. Bournemouth broke immediately from the restart and Marcus Tavernier calmly finished to force penalties, leaving players and fans stunned.
The shootout was tense and unforgiving, but Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale emerged as the hero. He showed sharp instincts and calm nerves, correctly guessing to save spot-kicks from Evanilson, Alex Jimenez and Bafode Diakite. His efforts sealed a narrow 7–6 victory and ensured Newcastle’s FA Cup journey remains alive.
After the game, Eddie Howe praised both teams for their approach and acknowledged the physical toll the match had taken. He described it as an open and honest contest, with both sides fully committed to winning.
While pleased to progress, he admitted the extra time was far from ideal, especially with a demanding fixture against Manchester City looming. The manager made it clear that getting through the tie was the priority, but he also recognised that the aftermath would require careful assessment.
That concern was underlined by the sight of Tino Livramento being forced off around the hour mark. The defender, who had only just returned to the starting lineup after recovering from a knee problem, pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The frustration was clear, not only because of the timing, but because of the effort Livramento had put into his recovery.
Howe did not hide his disappointment when asked about the injury. He explained that muscular issues are always worrying and described the situation as devastating for the player.
Livramento had worked tirelessly to get back to full fitness and had looked sharp and strong before being forced off. While there were no immediate details on the severity, Howe confirmed that the defender is expected to be sidelined for a period, adding another name to an already crowded injury list.
The situation at the back is now a serious concern for Newcastle. With Livramento and Fabian Schär set to miss time, Dan Burn still working his way back, and Emil Krafth and Jamaal Lascelles unavailable, options are dangerously thin.
Against Bournemouth, Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman were pushed through the full 120 minutes, while Lewis Hall came on to replace Livramento and also finished the game. The lack of rotation is increasing the risk of further injuries, something Howe is acutely aware of.
Unsurprisingly, attention has now turned to the transfer market. When questioned about whether Newcastle may be forced into signing a defender, Howe was cautious but honest. He explained that the situation is being reviewed daily and admitted that losing players in defensive areas is exactly what the club hoped to avoid. With two defenders going down in quick succession, discussions are ongoing behind the scenes.
Howe stressed that the club’s priority is to ensure there are enough players available to cope with the schedule ahead. The extended match against Bournemouth pushed several players to their limits, and with fatigue comes greater injury risk. Ideally, he said, Newcastle would like more bodies to reduce that danger, but the current lack of options makes decision-making even more important.
The manager confirmed that conversations are happening constantly, with intense and detailed discussions taking place to determine the best course of action.
While no final decision has been made, it is clear that Newcastle cannot afford to ignore the problem. With crucial league and cup fixtures approaching, the balance between protecting players and remaining competitive has become harder than ever.
For now, Newcastle move on in the FA Cup, buoyed by their resilience and Ramsdale’s heroics, but the cost of victory lingers. Livramento’s injury is another reminder of how quickly fortunes can change, and the coming days may prove decisive as the club weighs up its next move.
