Newcastle United are £9.4million the richer after easing past Qarabag over two legs on a night of thrills and spills at St James' Park
Sven Botman of Newcastle United scores his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Newcastle United FC and Qarabag
Sven Botman of Newcastle United scores his team's third goal(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe's St James' Park experience against Qarabag was night and day compared to his last shift in the dugout on Tyneside.
Just 17 days had elapsed since Howe's team were booed off after the 3-2 defeat against Brentford and noise from some sections of the fanbase increased. However, before the teams had even walked out a huge Howe banner was unveiled at the famous Leazes End just moments after CEO David Hopkinson had described his head coach's future with the Magpies looking bright.
Hopkinson had said to Prime: "What he’s doing on the day-to-day, working incredibly hard, has the support of the club and the ownership."
On a night in which Hopkinson picked up a cheque for £9.4million for qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League, it was very much a case of: "Crisis? What crisis?"
Since the sickening late defeat to Brentford, Newcastle have eased into the knockout stages of Europe and set up an FA Cup fifth round tie against Man City. They must, of course, pick up their Premier League form as they trail the top five by nine points, and while some may argue Howe is not out of the woods yet, it feels like Hopkinson and his first-team boss are planning for next season.
The Magpies went ahead on exactly four minutes as Sandro Tonali started and finished a move with a close range finish. The Italian picked the ball up mid-way in the Qarabag half and drove forward with Nick Woltemade screaming for the ball.
The German star's first time pass for Dan Burn resulted in a defender blocking the ball before Harvey Barnes then clipped in a left wing cross. William Osula's effort was blocked before Tonali applied the finish at the Leazes End.
United doubled that lead on six minutes while fans were still celebrating the first. The TV replays were still rolling when Barnes crossed from the left for Joelinton to smash home on the volley from six yards out.
With 16 minutes gone, Joelinton made a powerful and potent run down the right as he brushed off a couple of defenders, but his shot went straight at Mateusz Kochalski.
Qarabag, who knew they were well beaten even with half an hour on the clock, forced Aaron Ramsdale into a save when Elvin Jafarguilyev struck from a tight angle at the Gallowgate End.
On 36 minutes, Woltemade dragged the ball pack and nonchalantly flicked it into Jacob Murphy's path before the winger drilled it wide. Sven Botman headed at goal four minutes later after a Kieran Trippier corner but the visitors cleared the danger and then broke dangerously.
Camilo Duran sprinted through and fired viciously at Ramsdale, who got hands to the ball and diverted it to safety, but Qarabag were in the market for a consolation.
The two teams went in at the break with an 8-1 aggregate lead intact for Newcastle, but Howe opted against making changes at the break. But six minutes into the second half, Qarabag pulled a goal back as Duran outpaced Burn and slotted home to reduce the arrears.
Spontaneous and warm sporting applause rippled around St James' as the visitors thrilled their small band for supporters with a goal. But moments later Newcastle restored their two-goal cushion in the night. Trippier's corner was swung in before the Dutchman powered home a header to make it 3-1 with 52 minutes gone.
It was Botman's last act of the night as he was replaced by Lewis Hall while Anthony Gordon and Joe Willock came on for Trippier and Joelinton, with the Brazilian unhappy about being withdrawn so early with 54 minutes gone.
Italian ref Davide Massa then pointed to the spot on 57 minutes to hand Qarabag another chance of a memorable moment on the big stage after a Burn handball. Marko Jankovic's penalty was saved by Ramsdale before Jafarguliyev's follow up made it 3-2.
With 18 minutes left William Osula's number came up as he was replaced by Yoane Wissa after a knock had kept him out of the last four matches.
It had been a disappointing night for Osula, who failed to take his chance in front of 50,000 fans. Barnes forced Kochalski into a one-handed save as Newcastle threatened again before the ex-Leicester man sent another wide as the game entered the final stages.
Howe handed Leo Shahar his debut with four minutes to as he replaced Jacob Murphy. Tonali's late corner fell for Burn who back-heeled at goal but it was gathered by the keeper and that was that.
A convincing 9-3 aggregate victory booked a place in the last 16 to face Barcelona or Chelsea. The final score meant that Newcastle missed out on bettering their highest ever victory on aggregate in Europe which against Royal Antwerp in 1994 when a 10-2 win thrilled Geordie fans.
Referee: Daniele Massa (Italy)
Attendance: 50,068
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