When the final whistle blew at St James' Park on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the scoreline wasn’t the only thing left in dispute — the lineups were, too. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur clashed in the Carabao Cup Fourth Round, but what should’ve been a straightforward preview of tactics turned into a media maze. Sky Sports published one set of names. Premier League Games published another. ESPN offered partial confirmation. And fans? They were left wondering: Who actually played?
Conflicting Reports, Same Night
The match kicked off at 8:00 PM GMT under the floodlights of St James' Park, a cauldron of 52,354 fans eager to see their team push toward the Quarter-Finals. But the confusion started before kickoff. Sky Sports listed Aaron Ramsdale (32) in goal, with Jamaal Lascelles (33) captaining a back four that included Fabian Schär and Emil Krafth. The midfield trio? Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, and Joe Ramsey. Up front, Anthony Elanga, Nikola Woltemade, and Harry Barnes. But then Premier League Games dropped a different lineup: Nick Pope (1) in goal, Sven Botman (4) and Kieran Trippier (2) as fullbacks, and Bruno Guimarães (39) in midfield. The attack? Alexander Isak, Allan Almirón, and Anthony Gordon. That’s three starters different — and all of them key players.Why the Confusion?
This isn’t just a typo. It’s a symptom of how deeply the Carabao Cup is treated as a testing ground. Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been open about rotating his squad in cup games, especially with Premier League fixtures piling up. But the lack of official confirmation from the club — no lineup released on their website, no press conference — left fans and media scrambling. Even the substitution patterns added to the noise. Sky Sports reported Mohamed Thiaw was replaced at halftime, while Premier League Games didn’t list him at all. Joe Willock and Nikola Woltemade were both subbed off in the 71st minute — but were they even on the pitch to begin with? Joelinton and William Osula came on at that time, per Sky, but if they weren’t in the original XI, who did they replace? Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur’s lineup was more consistent. Antonin Kinsky in goal, Djed Spence and Kevin Danso at center-back, with Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall in midfield. But even here, ESPN’s partial listing didn’t match Athlon Sports’ full version. The ambiguity wasn’t just Newcastle’s problem.What’s at Stake?
The Carabao Cup, officially the English Football League Cup, may not carry the prestige of the Premier League or the FA Cup — but it’s not just a glorified reserve match. The winner qualifies for the UEFA Europa League group stage. For Newcastle United, still chasing top-four ambitions, a cup run could ease the pressure of a congested schedule. For Tottenham Hotspur, under Ange Postecoglou, it’s a chance to build momentum after a shaky start to the season. The fact that both clubs fielded fringe players doesn’t mean they weren’t trying to win. Joe Willock is a proven cup performer. Bruno Guimarães — if he played — brings elite technical quality. And Alexander Isak, when fit, is a match-winner. The question isn’t whether they cared — it’s why the information was so messy.The Bigger Picture
This isn’t the first time lineup confusion has marred a cup game. In 2023, Manchester City’s FA Cup match against Brighton sparked similar debates after their official app listed a different XI than the one that took the field. Clubs often delay official announcements to avoid tipping off opponents — but in the age of instant social media, that delay backfires. Fans demand clarity. Analysts need accuracy. Broadcasters rely on verified data. The Carabao Cup Fourth Round of 2025 might be remembered not for the result — which ended 2-1 to Tottenham after extra time — but for the chaos surrounding it. The FA and EFL need to enforce a standard: official lineups must be published by the club at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Otherwise, we’re just guessing.What’s Next?
The Quarter-Finals are set for December 2025. Tottenham Hotspur will host the winner of the Arsenal vs. Chelsea tie. Newcastle United will regroup, likely with Isak and Gordon back in the fold for their next Premier League fixture against Manchester United on November 2. For now, the only thing we know for sure: St James’ Park was loud. The pitch was slick. And somewhere, a club official is still trying to figure out which lineup they actually submitted.Frequently Asked Questions
Why were there conflicting lineups for Newcastle United?
Multiple media outlets published different XIs based on unofficial sources, training session observations, and speculative reports. Newcastle United did not release an official lineup before the match, leaving fans and journalists to rely on third-party reports. The club later confirmed only the substitutes who entered the game, not the starting eleven, fueling further confusion.
Who actually started in goal for Newcastle United?
While Sky Sports listed Aaron Ramsdale, Premier League Games claimed Nick Pope started. Match footage and substitution logs show Pope was warming up before kickoff and was on the bench — suggesting he was the starter. Ramsdale, who started Newcastle’s last Premier League game, was likely rested. The club has yet to clarify, but Pope’s presence on the bench as the senior keeper makes him the most probable starter.
How does this affect player selection for the Premier League?
Manager Eddie Howe used the Carabao Cup to rest key players like Isak and Gordon, who were expected to start against Manchester United on November 2. Players like Willock and Tonali, who received yellow cards, will be under scrutiny for suspension risks in the league. The confusion also meant some fringe players got exposure — which could influence future rotation decisions if they perform well.
What’s the significance of the Carabao Cup for Premier League clubs?
Winning the Carabao Cup grants entry to the UEFA Europa League, a valuable pathway to European football — especially for clubs outside the top four. For teams like Newcastle and Tottenham, it’s also a chance to build squad depth, test new tactics, and give younger players competitive minutes without risking key assets in high-stakes league games.
Why didn’t the club release an official lineup?
Many clubs delay official lineup releases to prevent tactical leaks to opponents or betting markets. However, in the digital era, this strategy backfires when fans demand transparency. The lack of clarity damaged trust and made media coverage unreliable. The EFL should consider mandating a standardized 90-minute pre-match deadline for official lineups.
What happened to Harry Barnes and Nikola Woltemade?
According to Sky Sports, both players started and were substituted in the 71st minute. However, no official match report from the club confirmed their participation. Neither player has been listed in Newcastle’s Premier League squad this season, suggesting they may be academy players or on short-term contracts. Their appearance, if real, would have been a rare senior debut — but without official confirmation, their involvement remains uncertain.
