Joe Willock delivered a decisive strike in the dying minutes to send Newcastle United through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, edging out Championship side Millwall 1-0 at The Den. The match, which marked the first encounter between the two clubs since 1993, was a tense, low‑scoring affair that saw both teams create a handful of chances before Willock’s goal proved the difference.
The early stages were dominated by the visitors. Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy curled a powerful effort over the bar, and the Magpies continued to press, with Sven Botman rising high to meet Murphy's corner, only to see his header skim the far post.
Millwall, however, threatened to turn the tables when Tairyk Arconte saw his shot rebound off the post, giving the home side a brief moment of hope that could have unsettled the cup holders. Millwall introduced 15‑year‑old Regan Anderson in the latter stages, making him the club’s second‑youngest ever player, but the Magpies held firm. The home side’s debutant goalkeeper, Filip Marschall, was first tested in the 15th minute when he saved a Willock effort, punching the ball into the air where it fell to left‑back Elkan Baggott rather than Newcastle’s forward Yoane Wissa.
Later, a long‑range attempt from Fabian Schar glanced off the side‑netting after a heavy deflection, leaving the visitors still searching for a breakthrough. The first half ended goalless despite a handful of set‑piece opportunities.
Millwall’s centre‑half duo of Jake Cooper and Caleb Taylor were particularly resolute, clearing crosses and thwarting Newcastle’s attempts to find a foothold. The Lions also generated danger from dead‑ball situations; Camiel Neghli delivered a free‑kick that was met by a soaring header from Taylor, which drifted just wide of the target. The second half began with Millwall on the front foot. Within two minutes, Jenson Metcalfe unleashed a long‑range strike that sailed just over the bar, and a subsequent free‑kick saw his header drift wide.
Newcastle struggled to impose themselves, with only Harvey Barnes managing a second‑half shot on target at the 65‑minute mark; his effort was comfortably saved by Marschall. Manager Matthias Jaissle responded by introducing Anthony Elanga and recent signing Matías Fernández‑Pardo, hoping to inject fresh energy and create a decisive opening. Yet Millwall’s defensive pairing continued to repel wave after wave of Newcastle pressure.
The closest the home side came to scoring came in the 79th minute when Arconte broke free from Tino Livramento, only to see his shot rebound off the near post. With the match hanging in the balance, Newcastle finally broke the deadlock with nine minutes remaining. A low cross from Lewis Hall into the six‑yard box was flicked on by Willock, who timed his run perfectly and tucked the ball into the net, securing a vital win for the visitors.
Post‑match, Lewis Hall praised the managerial change, noting the positive atmosphere created by Jaissle and his coaching staff. "There was a lot of negativity before everything happened, but since the manager arrived things have been top‑notch.
The way we’re being coached is amazing, and everyone is really enjoying playing under him," Hall told Sky Sports. He added that the team expected a tough encounter at Millwall and were proud to keep a clean sheet while advancing. Willock, reflecting on his winning goal, highlighted the importance of capitalising on chances.
"We created many opportunities in the first half, but at half‑time we agreed we needed to be more clinical. In the second half we finally took our chances, scored, and won the game," he said. He also stressed the significance of the victory for a side with a new coach and several new signings, emphasizing the desire to start the season on a positive note and maintain momentum. Jaissle expressed satisfaction with the performance, acknowledging the difficulty of playing at Millwall in a cup tie.
"We knew it would be a challenge, and we faced it with patience, passion, and a willingness to win second balls. We were efficient in front of goal and took our chance, which makes me proud," he explained. The manager also praised the physical resilience of his side, noting improvements compared with earlier fixtures, and lauded Willock’s contributions since his arrival. "Joe is doing an excellent job.
Since pre‑season we’ve seen his potential, and I’m happy with how we’ve started," Jaissle added. Looking ahead, Jaissle turned his focus to the upcoming clash with Leeds United, while also sharing his love for English football. "I love it.
Playing an evening match in front of this atmosphere is a dream. It’s a privilege," he concluded. Overall, the match showcased a tightly contested cup tie, with Newcastle ultimately prevailing thanks to Willock’s late heroics, a solid defensive display, and strategic substitutions that turned the tide in the final minutes. The victory propels the Magpies into the next round of the Carabao Cup, where they will aim to build on this hard‑earned success.