Teenager Lewis Miley's stoppage-time header sealed a 2-1 win over Fulham to send holders Newcastle into a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
The 19-year-old played out of position, filling in at right-back, but was in just the right place to head in substitute Sandro Tonali's corner in the 92nd minute to spark wild scenes at St James' Park and put the derby disaster at Sunderland to the back of their minds.
Newcastle had led through Yoane Wissa, opening his account for the club 10 minutes into his first start, before Sasa Lukic headed in a deserved equaliser for Fulham six minutes later. Marco Silva's side fought valiantly, but faded as the second half wore on.
Miley's glancing header earned Newcastle a ninth consecutive Carabao Cup win in regulation time, the longest run in the competition since Liverpool in 1995, and keeps their grip on the trophy that ended the club's 70-year silverware drought.
Newcastle must overcome City over two games in the semis to return to the final. The first legs take place the week commencing January 12, 2026, with the second legs to be played the week commencing February 2, 2026.
There was a sense of déjà vu in the north east as Newcastle had already pulled off a dramatic 2-1 win over Fulham thanks to a late header at this ground in October when they met in the Premier League. Lukic had the equaliser for Fulham that day, too.
St James' Park was nervous for much of the game after Sunday's derby defeat at Sunderland but the anxiety was momentarily lifted by Wissa tapping in from close-range after Fulham's stand-in goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte parried directly into his path.
However, Fulham hit back quickly, equalising six minutes later through Lukic to unsettle Newcastle, who left the midfielder completely unmarked in the box to header in from Antonee Robinson's cross.
Penalties loomed as Fulham's 'keeper Lecomte produced a fine save to deny Miley in stoppage time only for the Newcastle academy graduate to glance in a header from the resulting corner and put his side into the semi-finals.
Newcastle lost full-back Tino Livramento to injury in the second half and head coach Eddie Howe said it "didn't look good" after the game with his side already missing three players in that position.
The England international had ice on his knee at full-time and could join Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth on the sidelines ahead of the busy festive fixtures.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to Your Site:
"That was a tough game, it was always going to be today [after Sunderland defeat]. We're back on home soil. I thought we controlled the game. Fulham are a good team, they had their moments, but I thought we deserved to win."
On Miley: "It was brilliant performance from a really talented young player, I think. He hasn't played right back a lot, and he had to take on a lot of information this morning, but he did really, really well, and capped it off with a goal.
"He believes he's more than good enough to play at this level, and not just play, but excel. And I think we're seeing that now. I think he's taking his game to another level, and nights like tonight will only help him."
On Wissa: "Really positive night in lots of different ways. Yoane getting his goal is a brilliant moment for him, especially so early in the game, and he took it superbly. He'll only get better for the match minutes."
On Livramento: "No [news], but it doesn't look good. The fact that he came off is a worrying sign. We're so stretched in that area, that would be a huge blow."
Fulham boss Marco Silva to Your Site:
"We love all our boys and all that stuff. They have been working very hard in very difficult circumstances. This season has been very tough for us. All the absences in a very short squad.
"Newcastle were able to refresh almost all the front line to start the game in a completely different way.
"It's completely different realities. If you want to progress, if you want to be able to be in these stages and to be more competitive, of course, it's a step that you have to take.
"Now is the moment to recover the players, to rest them, because it's a game that you need to be as fresh as you can be on Monday, because it's going to be another big game for us."
Newcastle are shaping up for a busy January, playing nine games across the month, with their Carabao Cup semi-final against Man City confirmed.
January 4: Crystal Palace (H), Premier League, kick-off 3pm, live on Your Site
January 7: Leeds (H), Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm, live on Your Site
January 10: Bournemouth (H), FA Cup third round, kick-off 3pm
w/c January 12: Man City (H), Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
January 18: Wolves (A), Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Your Site
January 21: PSV Eindhoven (H), Champions League, kick-off 8pm
January 25: Aston Villa (H), Premier League, kick-off 2pm, live on Your Site
January 28: PSG (A), Champions League, kick-off 8pm
January 31: Liverpool (A), Premier League, kick-off 8pm
w/c February 2: Man City (A), Carabao Cup semi-final second leg
