Sport

Tomasson seals it for Newcastle

Jon Dahl Tomasson scored only his second goal for Newcastle to send them through to the English League Cup quarter-finals

Wed Nov 19 1997 - 00:00

Jon Dahl Tomasson scored only his second goal for Newcastle to send them through to the English League Cup quarter-finals. In the absence of Alan Shearer, Faustino Asprilla and Ian Rush, the 21-year-old striker consigned Derby to their first defeat at Pride Park.

Newcastle had taken the upper hand in the fourth round tie before Rob Lee beat two men and burst through the home defence on 71 minutes. The England midfielder was tackled, but the ball broke to Tomasson who picked his spot to score.

Derby had welcomed back Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope from World Cup duty, while Stefano Eranio returned after a six-week absence because of a torn hamstring.

Jonathan Hunt also started in the third change from the side which lost at Leeds last time out.

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Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop made only his second appearance of the season in place of Shay Given. Newcastle deployed John Barnes as their lone front-runner.

Newcastle carved out the first opening on five minutes when Steve Watson found Lee who released Tomasson and he skipped past one challenge before shooting wide.

Wanchope demonstrated great touch when he received Chris Powell's pass and spun round, leaving the Newcastle defence flat-footed, only for the alert Hislop to beat him to the ball.

The game then became bogged down in the middle of the park as each side packed the midfield.

Newcastle went close twice in the 52nd minute as the game finally began to open up. First, Tomasson cut in from the right on to his left foot only for Jacob Laursen to block his shot and then Mart Poom saved Keith Gillespie's 20-yard effort.

Substitute Des Hamilton impressed in the visitors' midfield as Newcastle began to take control.

When Tomasson broke the deadlock with his cool finish Derby piled on the pressure. They had strong penalty claims waved away after Alessandro Pistone appeared to foul Dean Sturridge in the box.

Derby: Poom, Rowett, C Powell, Sturridge, Wanchope, Laursen, Carsley, Eranio, Dailly, Hunt (Solis 83), Baiano. Subs Not Used: D Powell, Hoult. Booked: Eranio.

Newcastle: Hislop, Barton (Peacock 60), Beresford (Hamilton 45), Batty, Lee, Barnes, Tomasson, Gillespie, Watson, Pistone, Albert. Subs Not Used: Ketsbaia. Booked: Watson, Batty, Pistone. Goals: Tomasson 72.

Referee: M Bodenham (East Looe).