Third-tier Cambridge produce stunning Newcastle FA Cup upset

The rocky start to Newcastle United’s new era continued on Saturday as the Premier League strugglers were dumped out of the FA Cup by third-tier Cambridge United.

Newcastle harbour huge ambitions after they were taken over by a Saudi-led consortium in October and were eyeing a long-awaited cup run under recently-appointed boss Eddie Howe.

But the Magpies were embarrassingly beaten 1-0 in the third round by Cambridge, who were on a three-game winless run and are 16th in League One, through Joe Ironside’s 56th-minute strike from close range at St James’ Park.

The victory was Cambridge’s first ever away to a top-flight side in the FA Cup and means the U’s have now won as many games against Premier League opposition this season as Newcastle have in 19 matches.

THE MAGIC OF THE CUP!#CamUTD | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/gosp6GZ7j7

— Cambridge United FC (@CambridgeUtdFC) January 8, 2022

While Newcastle have yet to truly flex their financial muscles, they brought in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for £12million this week and the full-back played a full part in front of United’s hugely wealthy owners.

Cambridge goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov made nine saves in total, including a sensational stop to deny Joelinton late on, as Mark Bonner’s side made it through to the fourth round for just the second time in 21 seasons.

Second-bottom Newcastle must now turn their attention back to the battle to stay in the Premier League, with a huge clash against fellow-strugglers Watford to come next Saturday.