FABIAN SCHAR was spot on to dump Wimbledon out of the League Cup after their sinkhole distress and safe Newcastle a shot at revenge towards Chelsea.
The floodgates didn’t open because it took a Schar penalty proper earlier than halftime to lastly breach the League Two outfits’ defence.
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And whereas the Dons look to make use of the money from fundraising and this cup conflict to get Plough Lane sorted, Toon can begin plotting for payback on the Blues.
The round-of-16 showdown might be a rematch of final season’s quarter-final the place the Magpies suffered late heartbreak at Stamford Bridge.
That night Eddie Howe’s males seemed to have booked a semi-final spot earlier than Mykhaylo Mudryk capitalised on a Kieran Trippier mistake to power a shootout – and it was Chelsea who superior and went all the way in which to the ultimate.
This time it will likely be them making the lengthy journey north, similar to their South London neighbours from 5 miles down the street did yesterday.
The Dons, after all, had been on account of host this tie just for flooding to trigger an enormous sinkhole on the Plough Lane pitch.
That led to the soccer neighborhood coming collectively to boost over £100,000 to assist the restore invoice, which included a £15,000 donation from Newcastle in addition to using their floor to stage it.
And the goodwill was on full show from the close to 1,500 away supporters earlier than kick-off as they held aloft two banners studying “Thanks Toon” and one other that learn “Thanks everybody”.
The niceties lasted lower than ten minutes as Lloyd Kelly was subjected to chant of “you soiled northern b***ard” after a foul.
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That and Miguel Almiron’s offside objective had been the one issues of word in a tepid first half till Martin Dubravka was caught by Wimbledon striker Omar Bugiel whereas making a courageous save.
That left Howe with a selection of John Ruddy, who turns 38 this month, and £20m summer time signing Odysseas Vlachodimos.
It was finally the Greek worldwide who acquired the nod on the break, however that was after Schar slotted house from 12 yards after Joe Pigott chopped Almiron within the field.
Riley Harbottle’s jaw denied Joe Willock after the restart as Howe referred to as for Anthony Gordon off the bench.
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Dons boss Johnnie Jackson’s game-plan to take a seat and frustrate labored wonders however they nonetheless had not had a shot heading in the right direction with 5 to go.
It was time to roll the cube with a triple sub, which took 4 minutes to make on account of a prolonged passage of play, inflicting one late scare from Harbottle’s long-throw, but it surely proved too little too late.
Requested after the sport in regards to the penalty, Jackson mentioned: “I’m fuming with it as the primary one is a dive after which there’s break in play and one other coming collectively however ref doesn’t quit.
“Then, like we’re not already up towards being a League Two facet, the linesman provides it and will get concerned.
“For that to be the distinction within the sport, I’m disillusioned. And my lads are gutted in there.”
Howe, who admitted it was an “immediately forgettable” efficiency, mentioned: “Job carried out – that’s crucial factor.
“I’m pissed off with our attacking play – particularly the primary half.
“Credit score to them for the way they defended. You need to battle your manner via.
“It’s a chance for us and we wish to keep within the competitors so long as we are able to.”
Howe, who changed Schar late on with Dan Burn, added: “Martin Dubravka’s taken a nasty bang to his knee, we hope he is alright however we’ll see how he settles down tomorrow.
“Fabian had a few points, his ankle and different issues, however hopefully he’ll be alright and it is not critical.”
