Newcastle United vs Luton Town FC (6th Jan 2018)

REPORT: NEWCASTLE UTD 3 LUTON TOWN 1

Hylton on target as Hatters bow out of the FA Cup with pride at St James' Park

The Hatters bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup at the third round stage this afternoon – but not without giving Premier League Newcastle United a second-half fright after going three down in a nine-minute spell before half-time.

With 7,500 travelling supporters filling the upper tier of the Leazes Stand and forming the biggest-ever away crowd at the modern St James’ Park, the League Two leaders put up a real fight to leave manager Nathan Jones bursting with pride, despite a tinge of disappointment at the result.

Leading scorer Danny Hylton’s 49th-minute goal – his 17th of the season – gave the Hatters hope after a brace from Ayoze Perez and a third from Jonjo Shelvey between the 30th and 39th minutes had put the Magpies in control by half-time.

It might have been so different had another Hylton effort, wrongly ruled out for offside, counted eight minutes later before substitute Elliot Lee hit the crossbar with a free-kick with just under 20 minutes to go.

But after a gallant effort in front of a crowd of more than 47,000, the Town are left to concentrate on reaching Wembley in the Chekatrade Trophy, and the ultimate goal of securing promotion to League One, after giving Rafa Benitez’s side a cracking game.

Jones, on his second anniversary as Town boss and fresh from signing a new four-year contract in midweek, made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing Dan Potts back in after the left-back missed Monday’s 4-2 victory over Lincoln City through illness.

Also returning to the starting XI was midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who played at Port Vale last Saturday before sitting out the New Year’s Day encounter with the Imps.

Wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of both Scott Cuthbert and Alan Sheehan, who was serving the first of a three-match suspension following his red card against Lincoln, was their fellow centre-half Johnny Mullins.

Newcastle had a sight of goal in the opening minute when Jacob Murphy shot from just inside the area, but thankfully for the Hatters, Glen Rea deflected it wide.

As you’d expect the hosts enjoyed the majority of the early possession, but without creating any clear-cut opportunities.

The Hatters grew into the game and their first attack came in the eighth minute when Shinnie dispossessed Matt Ritchie, then sprinted up the right to take a perfectly timed pass from James Justin. The Scot drove towards the hosts’ penalty area, but his cross proved just too high for James Collins at the back post.

Hylton and Collins twice came close to charging down keeper Freddie Woodman’s clearances, as Newcastle played the ball around in their own area, but it was Marek Stech who was the first keeper called into real action on 15 minutes when he pushed Murphy’s 20-yard left-footed effort away.

Hylton used his trademark nutmeg and dummying skills in quick succession to trick his way past Jamaal Lascelles on the right byline, winning a free-kick, and then Ciaran Clark, only to see his low cross cleared by the home defence.

The Hatters were giving as good as they were taking, but in the 22nd minute it was Stech who again had to be alert, this time diving low to his left to beat a Perez shot away from 18 yards.

Hylton was proving a real menace to the Newcastle defence, using all of his experience to out-muscle Jonjo Shelvey and latch onto a long clearance from Stech, but Luke Berry – picked out by the striker lurking on the far edge of the box – saw his 20-yard shot blocked.

Just before the half-hour Hylton picked up a yellow card for pulling Murphy back as he tracked back to help the defence, and from Dwight Gayle’s inswinging free-kick, Perez pounced to poke the Premier League side in front after Stech had spilled the initial effort.

Rafa Benitez’s side looked to increase their lead with Shelvey shooting over in the 33rd minute and Gayle sending a left-foot shot just wide of Stech’s left post a minute later.

By the 36th minute it was 2-0, but there was an element of luck about it as Ritchie’s right-wing cross was defected just over Rea’s head for Gayle, whose header was saved by Stech, but only into the path of Perez, who once again tucked home from inside the six-yard box.

Three minutes later it was three, when an incisive passing move between Perez and Gayle through the centre of the Hatters’ half carved open the Town defence for Shelvey to run onto the ball and pick his spot from 15 yards.

The Town regrouped and managed to put together a sustained period of possession as the half drew to a close, with Collins’ persistence on the right resulting in a corner, taken by Olly Lee, that Berry headed over at the far post, but the half ended without the Hatters having tested Woodman.

That changed soon into the second half as the Town, with Harry Cornick on for Mpanzu, starting on the front foot.

Hylton cut the ball back for Berry to send a volley goalwards within a minute of the restart, then the top scorer made it 17 for the season in the 49th minute.

Hylton initially caused concern for Woodman by pressing the keeper as he cleared outside his area, and when Rea sent the young Toon stopper’s clearance straight back to Hylton, he side-stepped Woodman and placed the ball past centre-half Clark, who had played him onside, and into the empty net.

Newcastle immediately went up the other end and called Stech into action again, Murphy cutting back for Perez, who found Stech blocking his path, before Gayle volleyed a left-wing corner inches over the bar.

Hylton had the ball in the back of the net again in the 57th minute when Shinnie played him in on the left side of the area, only for an offside flag to rule his effort out as he curled past Woodman and raced away in celebration in front of the 7,500 travelling Town fans. TV replays proved that Hylton was comfortably onside and the goal should have stood.

The Hatters were having a real go and after a lightning break down the right by Cornick, the forward switched the ball left to Shinnie, who was fouled on the edge of the box. Olly Lee lined the free-kick up from 20 yards, but his curling effort was deflected just wide.

Town were bossing possession now and Shelvey and Isaac Hayden, on as an early sub for Lascelles, both went into referee Neil Swarbrick’s notepad for cynical fouls on Justin and Collins as the Hatters broke at pace.

Jones threw Elliot Lee into the attack, in place of Collins, with just over 20 minutes to go but it was from his brother Olly’s right-wing corner that the next opportunity arrived, Mullins climbing highest in the box but heading a foot wide of Woodman’s post.

Perez had another chance to complete his hat-trick in the 73rd minute, but the Spaniard dragged his left-foot shot wide.

Then, within seconds, the Hatters came as close as possible to narrowing the deficit once more, when Elliot Lee rattled the crossbar, with Woodman rooted to the spot, after Hylton had been fouled right on the left edge of the penalty area.

Woodman was called into action in the 78th minute by Shinnie, who sent a curling shot destined for the top corner before the Newcastle stopper got a hand to it, diverting it just out of Hylton’s reach as the Town looked more like the top-flight side than the Magpies.

Olly Lee was soon picking out Cornick as the ex-Bournemouth man looked to get in behind, but the ball ran away from him as he took it on his chest with just Woodman between him and the goal.

Newcastle went close again with Murphy and Ritchie whistling low shots just past the post, but Jones made another attacking move in the 82nd minute by bringing on Luke Gambin for Shinnie, who’d had an excellent second half.

Ritchie chipped onto the roof of the net with four minutes to go, but the Hatters were still prepared to have a go – Potts rising highest to meet Olly Lee’s left-wing corner, only for his header to drift wide, before Gayle sent a curling effort high over the Town bar with 90 minutes up. Then, deep into injury-time, he forced Stech into a good save with his feet.

Gambin had a great chance to reduce the arrears four minutes into time added on when Elliot Lee slipped him into the right side of area, but the Malta international’s effort went into the side netting after a long run from deep inside his own half.

The Hatters’ run was over, but as the travelling masses high in the stands applauded Jones and his players off, everyone associated with Luton Town Football club could be proud of what they had seen. On to Peterborough…then Chesterfield!

TOWN: Stech, Justin, Rea, Mullins ©, Potts, Mpanzu (Cornick 46), O Lee, Berry, Shinnie (Gambin 82), Collins (E Lee 68), Hylton. Subs: Stacey, Cook, Cornick, Famewo, Shea (GK)

Yellows: Hylton

Goals: Hylton 49

NEWCASTLE: Woodman, Clark, Dummett, Lascelles © (Hayden 31), Murphy, Shelvey (Diame 71), Gayle, Ritchie, Perez, Manquillo, Merino (Saivet 80). Subs: Aarons, Joselu, Haidara, Darlow (GK)

Goals: Perez 30, 36, Shelvey 39

Yellows: Shelvey, Hayden, Dummett

REFEREE: Neil Swarbrick

ATT: 47,069 (7,500 Hatters)

NATHAN JONES' REACTION TO THE 3-1 DEFEAT TO NEWCASTLE

Town boss Nathan Jones was proud of his side's second half performance, but disappointed overall as the Hatters fell to a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United which sees them knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup.

The hosts netted all three of their goals in nine first half minutes, as Ayoze Perez pounced on an error from Marek Stech to open the scoring on the half hour mark, before he doubled his tally six minutes later. Jonjo Shelvey slotted away in the 39th minute to put the Hatters in a difficult position.

They came out fighting and Danny Hylton scored his 17th goal of the season four minutes after the restart, before emphatically firing home what would've been his 18th, but it was wrongly ruled offside in the 57th minute.

The Hatters were certainly the better side in the second half and Elliot Lee hit the crossbar from a free-kick before Luke Gambin fired wide late on, but the hosts saw out the result to ensure they made it through to the fourth round of the competition.

Jones said: "I am very proud of the second half performance, but the overall feeling I've got is disappointment really. For 25 minutes we didn't have a problem, it was a really even game. They're a good side and they move the ball well, they defended the ball well. We had a few moments as well, a little bit more quality and we might have punished them.

"But when you make three errors and you go three down against a Premier League side and you're a League Two side, it's some mountain to climb. That's what it was. The first goal came out of nothing, no problem, big error. And then we're in possession and we give the ball away twice, they're in and they score.

"That's the margins when you come up against these big sides. If you give balls away in dangerous areas – we worked on that all week, because we know that's their strength, their counter-attacking strength. Then they punished us and fair play to them.

"They punished us first half, but then it's important to get the next goal and not to concede and let the flood gates open."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtnSJ5mZuT4

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42519614

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBAfewPsfRc

Hatters go out but give Magpies a real fright

FA Cup third round: Newcastle United 3 Luton Town 1

Luton Town may well have gone out of the FA Cup at Newcastle this afternoon, but they did so with their heads held high after a second half display that saw them going toe to toe with their Premier League opponents, giving Rafa Benitez's side a massive fright.

It had looked like the Hatters were going to be put to the sword after a 10 minute period late in the first half in which they conceded three times to fall 3-0 down in the blink of an eye.

But those fears were allayed when Danny Hylton pulled one back just moments into the second period, to start a rip-roaring second period in which Elliot Lee thundered a free kick against the bar, ensuring the visitors, roared on by 7,500 travelling fans took most, if not all of the plaudits.

The Hatters made two changes, Dan Potts fit enough to resume at left back and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu in as the holding midfielder, with Glen Rea dropping to centre half in place of the suspended Alan Sheehan, James Justin moving across to right back, Jack Stacey on the bench.

Magpies' boss Benitez kept his word about naming a strong XI, making just four changes from the team that won 1-0 at Stoke, with Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle and Jonjo Shelvey all in from the word go.

The hosts almost had the lead inside a minute, Luton forced into some desperate defending, but Town soon settled down, Andrew Shinnie's cross too long for James Collins, Luke Berry denied a break by a last-ditch challenge and Lee's free kick headed wide by Collins.

The striker's touch then eluded him as Woodman was forced into another rushed clearance, before Marek Stech was busy on 15 minutes, palming aside Jacob Murphy's curling attempt.

Town were definitely in the contest though, not parking the bus by any means, as they carried a goal threat at all times, Hylton's cross cut out before it could reach Collins.

They had to keep their wits about them at the back as expected though, Stech parrying Perez's low shot away, and Mullins tidying up, before the striker fired well over from a good position.

However, Luton's hard work was undone on the half hour as a free kick by Jacob Murphy was spilled by Stech and Perez made him pay, tapping into the net.

It was a real shame for the visitors, as they had been holding their own in the contest until that point, although the goal didn't initially appear to knock them out of their stride.

Shelvey missed from 20 yards, as did Gayle, but that crucial second arrived on 36 minutes, when Stech made a superb point blank save from Gayle, but Perez was there to net the rebound.

Visiting boss Nathan Jones could only watch on in anguish as Newcastle did to his side what they have done to so many others this term, breaking away with clinical efficiency, Shelvey rolling an effort past Stech to make it 3-0.

Berry was wide with a header on the stroke of half time, as the Hatters chief brought off Mpanzu at the break, Harry Cornick coming on.

Luton made a bright start too, Berry picked out by Shinnie, only to see his effort charged down, before they did pull one back on 49 minutes.

Rea's ball forward saw Hylton played onside by Ciaran Clark and with Freddie Woodman racing out, he coolly rounded the keeper, and beat the covering defender to make it 3-1.

Newcastle almost put the game to bed instantly, Perez left unmarked only to see Stech make a wonderful reaction stop to prevent the hat-trick.

A corner saw Gayle whistle his volley inches over, while Hylton and the visiting faithful then thought they were well and truly back in the contest, the striker producing an unerring finish beyond Woodman from Shinnie's one-two.

However, unbeknown to the striker, massed ranks of Town followers and PA announcer, the flag had already been raised, as Hylton was left with a wry smile on his face, having to face the sarcastic cheers from the home fans as his celebrations were cut short.

Newcastle started to lose their aura of calm, Isaac Hayden booked for lunge on Collins, who was soon replaced by Elliot Lee, as both Lee brothers were now on in front of watching dad and Geordie legend Rob.

Town started to make opportunities, Johnny Mullins wide from a corner, while Elliot Lee took aim from a free kick just outside the D with 16 minutes to go, his curler smacking against the bar.

Still Luton pressed, Shinnie's attempt palmed away by Woodman, just beyond the lurking Hylton and Elliot Lee. Newcastle weren't without their chances late on though as Town committed men forward, Murphy, Ritchie twice and sub Mo Diame going close, before Hatters had a glorious opportunity in stoppage time.

Elliot Lee released Luke Gambin, who side-stepped his way round one, but slid wide of the target, as United avoided a tricky last 90 seconds and put their name in the hat for the fourth round draw next week.

Magpies: Freddie Woodman, Ciaran Clark, Paul Dummett, Jamall Lascelles (Isaac Hayden 31, C), Jacob Murphy, Jonjo Shelvey (Mohammed Diame 71), Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Javier Manquillo, Mikel Merino (Herni Saivet 80).

Subs not used: Rolando Aarons, Joselu, Massadio Haidara, Karl Darlow.

Hatters: Marek Stech, James Justin, Dan Potts, Johnny Mullins (C), Glen Rea, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (Harry Cornick 46), Luke Berry, Olly Lee, Andrew Shinnie (Luke Gambin 82), Danny Hylton, James Collins (Elliot Lee 68).

Subs not used: James Shea, Akin Famewo, Jordan Cook, Jack Stacey.

Booked: Hylton 29, Shelvey 60, Hayden 66.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick.

Attendance: 47,069. (7,500 Luton).

Hatters MOM: Danny Hylton. Sparkled on the big stage.

Jones left with a tinge of disappointment as Town lose to Newcastle

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was left with a feeling of disappointment with the manner in which his side went out of the FA Cup with a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United this afternoon.

Town had held their Premier League opponents for the opening half hour, until conceding three goals inside nine minutes, with Ayoze Perez netting twice and then Jonjo Shelvey making it 3-0.

The visitors then hit back in the second period, with Danny Hylton pulling one back early on, while he had another goal wrongly disallowed, with Elliot Lee hitting the bar as well.

Jones said: "I'm very proud of the second half performance, but the overall feeling I’ve got is disappointment really, because for 25, 26 minutes, we didn’t really have much of a problem.

"We were handling them, it was a really even game, they’re a good side and they moved the ball well.

"We we defended very, very well and had some moments ourselves, when a little bit more quality and we might have punished them.

"But when you make three errors and you go 3-0 down against a Premier League side as a League Two side, that’s some mountain to climb and it was.

"The first goal absolutely out of nothing, no problem, big error and then we’re in possession and we give the ball away twice, JJ (James Justin) overhits it to Pelly, bang they’re in and they score and then Pelly gives it away, and that’s the margin when you come up against these big sides.

"If you give away the ball in dangerous areas, and we worked on that all week, as we know that’s what their strength is, a counter attacking strength.

"They sit back in and then they punished us first half, and then it was about making sure that one, we got the next goal and two, we didn’t concede and then the floodgates opened.

“Second half, I thought we were much, much better, on the front foot, scored early, scored another goal that wasn’t offside, so that's the big frustration, because at 3-2 who knows?

“There's an overall tinge of disappointment, but I’m proud of how they went about their work as the gulf in class is there because it’s Premier League against League Two, but at times, you couldn’t really see that."