Eddie Howe Rings the Changes for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup Clash with Tottenham
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has made a bold statement with his team selection for tonight’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur, introducing a remarkable eight changes from the side that faced Fulham over the weekend.
Only Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, and Nick Woltemade retain their places in the starting lineup, as Howe looks to rotate his squad amid a busy fixture schedule and keep key players fresh for upcoming Premier League matches.
Ramsdale Back Between the Posts
In goal, Aaron Ramsdale gets a rare opportunity to impress, stepping in for Nick Pope, who drops to the bench. This marks a significant chance for the former Arsenal goalkeeper to showcase his ability and stake a claim for more regular minutes in cup competitions.
Reshuffled Defence
Howe has reshaped his defensive line, with Emil Krafth and Fabian Schär returning to partner Thiaw and Burn. The manager will be hoping this mix of experience and energy can contain a dangerous Tottenham attack led by Richarlison.
Midfield Reinforcements
In midfield, Sandro Tonali makes a welcome return to the starting XI after a spell out of the lineup. He’s joined by Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey, forming a dynamic trio capable of both creativity and defensive cover. Howe’s midfield selection suggests an emphasis on mobility and technical precision against Spurs’ high-tempo pressing game.
New Look in Attack
Up front, Nick Woltemade retains his place as the focal point of the attack. Supporting him on the wings are Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes, who come in for Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon. Both wingers will be eager to make an impact, with Barnes in particular looking to build momentum after returning from injury earlier this month.
Bench Strength and Injury Updates
There’s positive news for Newcastle as Sven Botman is declared fit enough for the bench, having recovered from a cut sustained during the weekend clash with Fulham. The substitutes list also includes several of Howe’s regular starters: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Gordon, Murphy, Bruno Guimarães, and Lewis Miley.
Promising young striker Will Osula is also named among the substitutes. The teenager impressed off the bench in the last game, though Howe has revealed that Osula is managing a slight ankle issue, meaning his minutes could be limited tonight.
Team Lineups
Newcastle United:
Ramsdale; Krafth, Schär, Thiaw, Burn; Tonali, Willock, Ramsey; Elanga, Barnes, Woltemade
Substitutes: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Joelinton, Gordon, Osula, Murphy, Bruno, Miley
Tottenham Hotspur:
Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Palhinha, Spence; Bentancur, Sarr; Johnson, Bergvall, Xavi; Richarlison
Substitutes: Austin, Gunter, Tel, Kudus, Van de Ven, Kolo Muani, Scarlett, Olusei, Rowswell
A Test of Depth and Character
With so many changes, tonight’s match will serve as a major test of Newcastle’s squad depth. Howe’s decision to rotate reflects both the physical demands of the season and the club’s desire to remain competitive on multiple fronts. Fans will be eager to see how the refreshed lineup fares against a strong Tottenham side also eyeing progress in the competition.