Newcastle United’s transfer decision on ‘outstanding’ star vindicated - Ipswich Town’s loss
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Newcastle United latest news: The Magpies secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals thanks to a late Lewis Miley goal against Fulham.
A patched up Newcastle United did just enough to overcome the challenge of Fulham on Wednesday night without relying on the lottery of a penalty shootout.
For much of the second half at St James’ Park, it seemed that spot-kicks would be needed to separate the two sides. Indeed, Eddie Howe even admitted post-match that he and his coaching staff had drafted a list of takers for such an event.
However, they didn’t count on a goal from one of their in stoppage time. Despite having been denied just moments later, Lewis Miley dusted himself off, found a pocket of space in-front of his marker to loop a header into the Gallowgate goal.
His celebrations in the aftermath mirrored the vast majority of 51,000 in attendance as a semi-final place was assured and also made for an eerie comparison with his first ever Magpies goal, one that was also scored at the Gallowgate End against Fulham two years and a day prior.
Miley was one of the stars of Wednesday night’s win, a feat made even more impressive by the fact he was playing out of position at right-back. Miley’s only other experience in that position came at Stade Velodrome last month, whilst Eddie Howe admitted post-match that the coaching staff had been working closely with the teenager on the eve of the game to drill into him the requirements of the role.
That performance, though, didn’t go unnoticed by his head coach who spoke of Miley’s limitless potential post-match: “I'm reluctant to put more pressure on his shoulders than he's already got, but he can be as good as anyone in his position, whichever position he plays,” Howe said.
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“I thought he was outstanding at right-back and he's really grown in central midfield in terms of stature and confidence and belonging, which are all really important qualities - and the goals will only add to that. He's got a bit of everything so I couldn't rate him any higher.”
Newcastle United’s summer transfer decision vindicated
Miley’s importance to Newcastle United right now cannot be understated. Being able to have someone who can deputise at right-back, whilst also offering a presence going forward, is priceless when you consider they have just two fit senior defenders at the club.
Even before his transition to full-back, Miley had grown in importance in Howe’s midfield three and was beginning to nail down his spot as a regular in the middle of the park. All of this comes just months after the club rebuffed interest from Ipswich Town in the midfielder, opting instead to keep him on Tyneside, rather than hand over his development to another club.
Ipswich would likely have been a decent place for Miley to ply his trade with Kieran McKenna a very good head coach for young players to learn from. However, that decision to keep him in the north east, one Howe was very much at the centre of during the summer window, could be one of the best transfer decisions they have made in 2025.