Sean Longstaff shares what Kieran Trippier did to him after he scored Newcastle’s first goal against Fulham

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Sean Longstaff helped to secure Newcastle United’s place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for just the second time in 16 years against Fulham last night.

The midfielder netted the opening goal at Craven Cottage which really helped to settle the nerves amongst the team, though the goal wasn’t without its controversy.

Before falling to Longstaff, the ball had brushed Bruno Guimaraes’ hand leaving the Fulham players fuming, and while the goal was being Longstaff told NUFCTV how Kieran Trippier wouldn’t let him near the referee.

Longstaff says Trippier was keeping him back

Although they had been second best for most of the second half, there was absolutely nothing wrong with Longstaff’s opening goal for Newcastle, at least according to the current rules.

It was an excellent finish for someone who is often criticised for his lack of quality in the final third and will hopefully be a huge boost of confidence not only for him but for the rest of the team.

After the goal, Longstaff was merely trying to understand the rules and why it could possibly be ruled out as the Fulham players were calling for, but Trippier was never going to let the Newcastle man get close to the referee.

In a week where the 33-year-old has been linked with a move away, its this kind of small gesture that really shows what you’d be missing out on, his leadership which is so pivotal to the way Newcastle play.

After the game, Longstaff said: “I was trying to speak to him [the referee] but Trippier wouldn’t really let me speak to him. Obviously these days with the rules you never know, if Bruno handballs and scores it doesn’t count, I think that’s the rules.
“So, I was just trying to ask him the rules but Trippier was trying to keep me away from him in case I got a yellow card I think.”

Longstaff gives Newcastle FA Cup hope

It’s been almost 70 years since Newcastle last emerged victorious in the FA Cup and in the last two decades they have not even come close to ending that long drought.

This win against Fulham is certainly a step in the right direction but Newcastle have a long way to go before they can star to get excited over another possible trip to Wembley for the second year running.

Having two Geordies on the scoresheet in the game with Longstaff and Dan Burn will also be a huge boost for the team and the fans which they will hope to take into the next round.

Now, their attention will turn to the draw for the fifth round and their trip to Villa Park on Tuesday night in the Premier League as they look to kick on in the second half of the season.