Newcastle United survived a scare from a spirited Millwall side to book their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round, with substitute-turned-hero Joe Willock netting the only goal of the tie nine minutes from time at The Den.
The Premier League club, lifting the trophy just last season, were made to work hard by a Millwall team ravaged by injuries but full of fight. Manager Matthias Jaissle fielded a strong lineup, with Jacob Ramsey starting on the right in place of in-form winger Anthony Elanga, as he continues to implement his attacking philosophy built around quick transitions and direct play.
Despite dominating possession for large periods and racking up as many as 17 shots by the hour mark, Newcastle struggled to turn control into clear-cut chances. Willock had an early opportunity after dispossessing Romain Esse near the right-back area, but his powerful effort was too central for Millwall goalkeeper Filip Marschall to be troubled.
Millwall, missing 13 players through injury, matched their illustrious opponents for effort and organisation, sitting in two disciplined banks of four and threatening on the counter. Caleb Taylor headed narrowly wide from a free-kick before the break, while Jenson Metcalfe fired over from a promising position early in the second half after a dangerous low cross caused panic in the Newcastle box.
The hosts' best moment came in the 79th minute when substitute Taïryk Arconte, a persistent threat down the right, beat Tino Livramento for pace before striking the post — the ball cannoning back off goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek's body and somehow staying out of the net.
Newcastle made Millwall pay soon after. Jaissle had already introduced Elanga and deadline-day arrival Matias Fernandez-Pardo in search of a breakthrough, and it was the Belgian forward who created the winner with a clever shimmy to release Lewis Hall down the left. Hall's low cross across the six-yard box was turned home by Willock with a composed side-footed finish to settle the contest.
Millwall introduced 15-year-old Regan Anderson late on, making him the second-youngest player in the club's history, but could not find an equaliser as Newcastle held on for a hard-fought clean sheet.
Reflecting on the win, Jaissle said his side had done what was necessary to progress. "We were worth it, we faced it, we did it," the Newcastle manager said, acknowledging the difficulty of the tie against a determined Millwall outfit.
Elsewhere in the third round, holders' pedigree was on display as Crystal Palace eased into the next round with a 3-0 win over Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park. Jorgen Strand Larsen scored twice — heading home in each half — before substitute Daichi Kamada lobbed goalkeeper Sol Brynn to complete the scoring.
Bournemouth's Marco Rose celebrated his first win as manager with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Lincoln, inspired by a Ryan Christie hat-trick and a late strike from substitute Rayan. Rose praised Christie afterwards, saying: "Ryan is a nice guy. We really love him and he deserved it. He came back from an injury, worked hard and now he's back in shape." The Bournemouth boss added that squad depth would be crucial given the club's busy schedule ahead, which includes European football alongside domestic cup and league commitments.
In an all-Premier League meeting at the Stadium of Light, Chemsdine Talbi's second-half strike gave Sunderland a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Hull City, with both managers making wholesale changes from their weekend league fixtures.
Bradford City fought back from behind to beat fellow League One side Leyton Orient 3-1, overturning an early deficit through goals from Will Swan, Stephen Humphrys and Nick Powell after Macaulay Gillesphey's own goal had given the hosts a first-half lead.
Based on reporting from The Guardian, The Independent, and The Standard.