Southampton robbed by VAR? Joelinton goal gives Newcastle vital first-leg lead in feisty Carabao Cup semi-final tie

Newcastle defeated Southampton in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, with Joelinton scoring late in the game.Information Guide Nigeria

Tensions were high from the start at St. Mary’s, with both teams clearly aware of the significance of the occasion and opportunity in their respective seasons. A cagey first 45 minutes lacked any real cutting edge, but Newcastle should have led at the break. After 39 minutes, Joelinton bundled the ball into the back of the net following a goalmouth scramble, only for referee Stuart Attwell to rule out the goal for a handball, which VAR was unable to overturn.

The Brazilian then squandered a golden opportunity to put Newcastle ahead eight minutes later, smashing a square ball over the bar when he should have converted. As the game progressed, both teams had chances, with the hosts forcing a string of saves from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. Joelinton, however, made it count after 73 minutes, rifling in from close range. Southampton thought they’d responded quickly, but VAR intervened again for handball and chalked off Adam Armstrong’s equaliser, ensuring Newcastle won 1-0. As the game neared its conclusion, Saints had Duje Caleta-Car sent off for a second bookable offence.

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It was a difficult night at the office for Joelinton, but on an evening when heroes were needed, he stood tall, kept knocking on the door, and reaped the benefits. The Brazilian was bitterly disappointed to have a goal ruled out in the first half, which would have undoubtedly changed the flow of the game, and then smashed a ball over that was begging to be gently tucked into an open net. The best players, however, keep going, and his run for the eventual opener embodied the confidence he was feeling as a result of his recent resurgence. Joelinton has progressed from zero to hero status.JAMB Result

Magpie in the past Adam Armstrong thought he had provided an immediate response to Newcastle’s late lead, scoring with a goal that captured the scrappy nature of the game well. He collided with Dan Burn and sent the ball ricocheting into the net in clumsy fashion, only for VAR to rule the goal out because it hit his hand on the way in. It appeared to be a harsh decision, and it typified the type of misfortune Armstrong, who has only scored four goals for Saints since joining from Blackburn last summer.NYSC portal

Newcastle now has the advantage heading into the second leg, which is set to take place on January 31, with the Magpies just 90 minutes away from a long-awaited trip to Wembley.