A week after Matthias Jaissle voiced his frustration over the negativity surrounding Newcastle United’s rebuilding process, the German coach had a very different reason to smile.

His side advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup by overcoming West Bromwich Albion in a seven-goal contest at St James’ Park. Newcastle had been unfortunate not to beat Liverpool in their previous game, settling for a draw despite producing an encouraging display, but this time Jaissle finally celebrated his first competitive victory since taking over from Eddie Howe.

There were still difficult moments against an impressive West Brom outfit, yet the performance offered further evidence that the optimism behind Jaissle’s appointment may have substance.

The victory also provided an early glimpse of the impact made by some of Newcastle’s summer additions, particularly Amar Dedic. The £30m right-back arrived from Benfica after previously working with Jaissle at RB Salzburg, and he immediately looked comfortable in his new surroundings.

His delivery from wide areas proved particularly valuable. One of Dedic’s excellent crosses helped create one of Harvey Barnes’s two goals, while another inviting ball contributed to Bazoumana Touré finding the net.

“West Brom were a strong opponent, they’re brave and I will follow them now but I’m happy,” Jaissle said.

The Newcastle manager also showed his competitive nature during stoppage time, becoming involved in an animated exchange with the officials over a disputed free-kick. For Jaissle, however, the bigger satisfaction was seeing Dedic settle in so quickly despite arriving late in pre-season.

“Amar joined us late but it’s like he’s been here for years,” he added.

González Receives a St James’ Park Welcome

Before the match began, Newcastle supporters were given their first opportunity to welcome another major summer signing.

Ten minutes before kick-off, Nico González emerged in front of the crowd following his £52m move from Manchester City. The Spanish midfielder, brought in to strengthen the holding role, responded to chants of “Nico, Nico” with a broad smile.

The arrival was another indication of the scale of change taking place under Jaissle.

When Newcastle officials first discussed the possibility of appointing the German at the end of July, they used footage from the club’s recent success to help demonstrate what the job could offer. Jaissle was shown scenes of approximately 300,000 supporters filling Newcastle city centre after Howe’s side returned to Tyneside with the 2025 Carabao Cup.

The video was intended to reinforce the emotional connection between the club and its supporters.

“They tried to convince me with that footage,” Jaissle said. “But it was not needed.”

Despite that enthusiasm, Newcastle’s hopes of making another run at the trophy suffered an early setback against West Brom.

West Brom Strike First

The visitors stunned the home crowd after just 19 minutes.

Ousmane Diakité was becoming an influential presence in central midfield for the Championship side, and West Brom began to impose themselves as the opening half progressed. Their pressure eventually earned a free-kick around 25 yards from goal.

Isaac Price stepped up and produced a superb effort, sending the ball around the Newcastle wall and inside the near post.

Ewen Jaouen got a hand to the attempt but could not keep it out. The 20-year-old French goalkeeper, who joined Newcastle from Ligue 2 club Reims, arguably could have done more to prevent the goal, although the travelling West Brom support high in the Leazes End had no complaints.

West Brom had already made an encouraging start to their Championship campaign by winning their first two league matches under James Morrison. Their fluid 4-4-2 system created problems for Newcastle, while Nick Woltemade struggled to influence proceedings during the early stages.

Newcastle gradually found their way back into the contest, with 18-year-old Sean Steur beginning to take control of the midfield.

Steur had been responsible for giving away the foul that led to Price’s opener, but the young former Ajax midfielder responded positively. His intelligent movement and forward pass opened the route for Dedic to deliver from the right.

The resulting cross was precisely what Touré needed. Under pressure from Chris Mepham, the Ivorian winger attacked the ball from close range and smashed it into the net.

Touré Makes His Mark

Jaissle celebrated the equaliser with a raised fist, and there was plenty for the Newcastle manager to like about the move.

Three of the club’s recent recruits — Steur, Dedic and Touré — had combined to produce the response. For Touré, it was an especially significant moment as he celebrated his first goal since joining Newcastle from Hoffenheim.

The Côte d’Ivoire winger had been recruited as a replacement for Anthony Gordon, and his goal offered an early indication that Newcastle could still possess attacking threat despite the departure of established names.

Touré’s contribution was complete at half-time, when Barnes came on in his place.

The England winger needed only three minutes after the restart to make an immediate impact. Newcastle had won a corner, and when the ball fell loose inside the penalty area, Barnes reacted quickest.

His first attempt was blocked, but he stayed with the move and fired the rebound into the net from close range to put Newcastle ahead.

Price Keeps West Brom Alive

West Brom refused to disappear from the contest.

The visitors began to tire as the second half progressed, but they were handed a route back into the match when Lewis Hall was penalised for handball inside the Newcastle area.

Price once again took responsibility from the spot and calmly converted his second goal of the evening, beating Jaouen to level the score.

At that stage, extra time appeared increasingly likely.

Barnes, however, had other ideas.

The Newcastle winger continued to threaten and eventually restored the home side’s advantage with another impressive finish. Once again, Dedic played a central role, delivering a low cross that Barnes met and guided beyond Matt Ingram.

It was the decisive contribution Newcastle needed to avoid another 30 minutes of football and secure Jaissle’s first competitive victory.

Morrison Praises Newcastle’s Response

West Brom manager James Morrison felt his side had given Newcastle a genuine test despite eventually falling short.

“We were in the game, pushing Newcastle right to the end,” Morrison said. “We gave them some problems. I had a nice chat with Matthias afterwards; he was very complimentary.”

The statistics reflected a competitive encounter rather than a one-sided cup tie. Newcastle controlled 59% of possession compared with West Brom’s 41%, while both teams recorded nine attempts off target. Newcastle managed seven efforts on target, compared with two for the visitors.

The hosts also won six corners to West Brom’s two, while both teams were penalised for 13 fouls.

For Jaissle, the most important outcome was progression. Newcastle survived an uncomfortable opening, responded to being behind, and showed enough attacking quality to eventually overcome a disciplined Championship opponent.

With Dedic already contributing, Touré opening his Newcastle account and Steur showing composure in midfield, the early signs of Jaissle’s new-look team are beginning to emerge. The arrival of González adds another significant option, too.

After the disappointment and criticism that surrounded Jaissle only a week earlier, Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory offered a timely reminder that the transition under their new head coach may be moving in the right direction.