Newcastle United are chasing success on three fronts this season, with the Premier League and Carabao Cup campaigns already in an excellent position. And now it's the turn of the FA Cup to take centre stage as Eddie Howe's side face Bromley in today's third-round match at St James' Park.
Silverware remains a huge goal for the Magpies, with high hopes of a Carabao Cup final spot after the 2-0 semi-final first-leg win over Arsenal last week. United have good opportunity to progress into round four of the FA Cup, but Howe will not take League Two Bromley lightly.
The United head coach has already experienced two FA Cup exits at hands of lower league opposition while at Newcastle, losing to Cambridge United and Sheffield Wednesday in the third-round stage in successive seasons, so he will be under no illusions today. We've got all the build up right here, with team news, in-game analysis and post-match reactions and ratings right here.
Key Events
The match verdict
Martin Dubravka visibly moved by Newcastle United gesture as William Osula raises the roof
Job done on Tyneside
After a first-half display that wasn't too pretty, the second was a big improvement with Bruno and Gordon helping the home side dominate.
Osula gets off the mark and Newcastle are in the hat for the next round!
Job done. Next!
Stoppage time
Four minutes remaining. A lot heading out early for the metro or bus!
Bromley have the ball in the net - and the away end celebrates - but the flag had long been up!
Final 10 minutes
The Gallowgate corner attempting to keep the spark alive with a back catalogue of classic chants.
On the pitch, it's gone slightly flat as Newcastle release their foot from the pedal ever so slightly. Howe and Tindall still stood watching on with intent as Sandro Tonali is stripped and ready to come on.
Kelly defends well
A Toon attack breaks down and Bromley have the chance to counter in a hurry.
Congreve races towards goal 1 v 1 with Kelly but the defender does well to snuff out the danger down Bromley's right.
Going the other way, it's been a positive start for Sanusi. Plenty of energy, a bag of tricks and showing a lot of desire.
Osula delivers
William Osula won't forget this day in a hurry. He struggled in the first half against a resolute Bromley defence but you can't argue with that for a finish.
A lovely step over before lashing into the top corner. He goes off to a standing ovation.
Bruno has a pop
Just wide from the edge of the area.
67 minutes on the clock here but Newcastle aren't finished.
Changes being prepared.
Newcastle want more
Targett lashes a shot at goal from distance as he finds a bit of space. Takes a slight deflection on the way through and flies inches wide...
Newcastle not taking their foot off the gas.
It's a fine finish
Osula gets his first Newcastle United goal and it's a beauty.
Bruno plays him down the left channel, he has acres of space to pick it up and run at the defence.
He races towards goal, cuts inside, a few stepovers and a beauty of a finish into the far corner!
3-1!
Newcastle pushing
The Magpies want goal number 3 here. Gordon, Bruno and Longstaff have all been denied by big blocks in front of Bromley's goal as the home side kick on.
Backs to the wall defending for the visitors.
Time to kick on
Another goal would likely kill this tie as a contest against the League Two side, who have just seen a dangerous free-kick dealt with.
Newcastle break up the other end and see Targett's low cross held by goalkeeper Smith. He needs treatment after Osula collided with him as he reached the ball.
GOAL! GORDON!
48 minutes in and Newcastle have the lead!
Gordon sends Smith the wrong way and buries his penalty into the left corner.
Correct decision to award the spot-kick after a late challenge from Bromley man Thompson.
2-1!
Double half-time change
Two changes at the interval.
Gordon and Bruno ON.
Barnes and Joelinton OFF.
Bruno on too
At least a double change for Newcastle at the break... Bruno on too.
Brutal message from the boss this. The first-half wasn't good enough and he's making changes.
Gordon warming up
A half-time change is in the offing... Gordon is stripped and running on the pitch.
Barnes, Almiron or Osula off?
All a bit flat here
Little to shout about thus far, with Newcastle huffing and puffing with little joy. Lewis Miley's strike was a belter but other than that, quality in front of goal has been thin on the ground.
Longstaff struggling, Miggy trying but nothing really coming off so far and Osula getting himself into good areas.
Needs to be a touch better in the second period...
Lee Ryder's first half ratings
Here's how the players rated in the first half:
Martin Dubravka 6
Has a feel of after the Lord Mayor's show after Arsenal about him.
Kieran Trippier 6
Did not manage a decisive challenge when Corey Whitely was allowed to help the ball on for the opener from the deck!
Fabian Schar 6
Looks like he is feeling his way back into things.
Lloyd Kelly 6
A so, so display.
Matt Targett 6
A hand in the equaliser but struggled to cope down the left early in the game.
Joelinton 7
Has stamped his authority.
Sean Longstaff 6
Another who allowed the moment to pass him by for Bromley opener.
Lewis Miley 8
Recovered from horror start with well-taken goal and more than 50 touches.
Harvey Barnes 6
A hand in the goal but disappointing otherwise.
Miguel Almiron 5
His golden autumn of 2022 seems a long time ago.
William Osula 5
Has struggled to escape the attention of Sowunmi.
Stoppage time
Two minutes added on.
Lots already making their way for a half-time cuppa, pint, pie etc.
Bit of frustration around St James'
For all the possession Newcastle have had - a whopping 85.3% - the Magpies have struggled to create many clear cut opportunities since equalising. William Osula was inches away from getting a touch on Harvey Barnes' shot across goal a few minutes ago, but the Magpies are having to find a way around a stubborn Bromley wall.
Star striker Michael Cheek is positioned just outside his own box and Newcastle look a little frustrated. Need to up it.
Longstaff wants a penalty
Good run in behind sees Longstaff free in the box. He tries to go round his man before shooting but it's a good tackle.
Nothing given.
So far so good...
An impressive start:
Assured performance from Lewis Miley so far. Sitting the deepest and most central of the three midfielders, he's carried and kept the ball really well.
— Aaron Stokes (@AaronJStokes) January 12, 2025
Looking very comfortable on his return #NUFC pic.twitter.com/Imdam98wXt
Should be 2-1.
Bromley lose the ball on the edge of the area and Newcastle pounce. Barnes slid in on the left of the area, he takes on his man and sends an inviting ball across the area but Osula just can't there.
Lots of noise for Tonali and Bruno
The noise levels inside St James' Park have gone up a notch after Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali made their way out to warm-up on the touchline for the first time this afternoon. Newcastle certainly have a strong bench if they need it. Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall also in reserve.
However, there should be enough out there for these players to get the job done. Newcastle have had so much of the ball, but Bromley, to their credit, are defending manfully.
This hasn't been pretty
Possession lost too easily and no real fluency in the attacks - it's been a hit and miss start for Newcastle so far.
They've had a whopping 84 per cent of possession so far - but they're making hard work of this.
