EFL Cup Round 2: Newcastle United Welcome Back Midfield Star, West Ham United Hope for Impact from Top New Signings

The second round of the English Football League (EFL) Cup brought more than just regular midweek football as Newcastle United saw the return of their midfield maestro, Sandro Tonali, after his suspension. His comeback could be pivotal for the Magpies' ambitions this season. Meanwhile, West Ham United are looking to their high-profile new signing, German international Niclas Füllkrug, to make his mark in the cup after a relatively quiet start to his Premier League campaign.

Nottingham Forest vs. Newcastle United: The Return of Tonali

Both Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United have started their Premier League campaigns in decent form, each securing a win and a draw from their opening two matches. This sets the stage for an intriguing EFL Cup encounter, especially since neither team has European commitments this season, allowing them to focus more fully on domestic competitions.

Interestingly, both teams have faced the same opponents in the opening two rounds of the league — Southampton and Bournemouth — with identical results: a 1-0 victory over the newly promoted Southampton and a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. Nottingham Forest showed more tactical discipline in their performances, particularly in their second game against Southampton, where they effectively absorbed pressure with only 35% possession but created four times as many shooting opportunities as their opponents. Their efficiency paid off with a late winning goal in the 70th minute.

Newcastle United, on the other hand, had a more eventful start. In their Premier League opener against Southampton, Newcastle found themselves reduced to ten men within the first half-hour. Forced into a defensive posture, they managed to score on a counter-attack and hold on for a gritty 1-0 win. This game was a demonstration of Newcastle’s growing tactical maturity, showing that Championship teams can employ more sophisticated, slower-paced tactics instead of merely relying on high tempo and physicality.

The Magpies’ second match against Bournemouth was less impressive. Aiming to impose themselves like one of the Premier League's giants, they struggled to break down their opponents. Bournemouth managed to take the lead, only for Newcastle's near-England international, Anthony Gordon, to save the day with a crucial goal that salvaged a draw. This performance highlighted Newcastle’s need for a stronger attacking edge if they are to challenge the top sides in England. Many fans are drawing parallels between Newcastle and Manchester City, hoping that the Magpies can use City’s model of gradual improvement to elevate their squad and coaching staff. However, it seems Newcastle have shown little progress in this regard over the past season.

The upcoming EFL Cup clash against Nottingham Forest comes at a crucial juncture. Both sides won their away fixtures against each other last season, so neither holds a psychological advantage. The big news for Newcastle is the return of Sandro Tonali, who has been sidelined for nearly a year. This cup match presents an excellent opportunity for Tonali to regain match fitness and for Newcastle to showcase their capabilities with their midfield general back in action. Expectations are that Newcastle could operate at around 30% of their potential strength, while Forest might only be at about 10%, given their relative lack of depth.

West Ham United vs. Bournemouth: The Shadow of the Euros Lingers

West Ham United find themselves in an unfamiliar position in the EFL Cup, having been exempt from this round in the past three seasons due to strong showings in the Premier League or European competitions. Last season, however, saw them struggle on all fronts, and they must now reacquaint themselves with the intensity of the EFL Cup's earlier rounds.

To support their new manager, Julen Lopetegui, West Ham made significant investments in the transfer market this summer, with the most notable signing being Niclas Füllkrug, the German national team forward. Füllkrug’s arrival has been seen as a statement of intent, but he has yet to make a starting appearance. The EFL Cup provides him with a great opportunity to get fully integrated into the team’s dynamics, especially considering the struggles of his predecessor, Gianluca Scamacca, who failed to make an impact during his stint at the club. West Ham fans will be hoping that Füllkrug's fortunes differ from Scamacca's, but the German forward may need more time to adapt, particularly since many players returning from the European Championships are still working their way back to full match fitness.

The impact of the Euros has been felt across several teams, not just West Ham. Other clubs also have players who have yet to feature this season due to their participation in the summer tournament. For West Ham, this lack of readiness has been evident, as their performances so far have not suggested a significant improvement over last season.

On the other side, Bournemouth enter this EFL Cup match with a sense of comfort, having secured their Premier League status relatively early in each of the last two seasons. Although they have shown resilience in the opening weeks of the new campaign, drawing both of their matches 1-1 after both leading and trailing, they will need to find ways to convert more of these opportunities into wins if they wish to avoid a relegation scrap.

Last season, both encounters between West Ham and Bournemouth ended 1-1, highlighting the closely matched nature of these sides. However, in a cup competition, depth often makes the difference. West Ham, with their deeper squad and more options off the bench, seem better positioned to advance in the EFL Cup, especially at home. Bournemouth, meanwhile, may focus their energy on the league, where consistency will be key to achieving their goal of another comfortable survival.

The Stakes for Both Sides

For Newcastle United, this second-round tie is not just about progressing in a cup competition; it’s about recalibrating their season’s objectives with Tonali back in the mix. Eddie Howe’s men need to demonstrate that they have grown beyond their performance ceiling from last season and that they can handle tactical nuances more adeptly.

West Ham United, under Lopetegui, are at a crossroads. After a period of underachievement, they are desperate for a positive result to kick-start their campaign. Füllkrug, who has yet to make his mark, represents their most significant gamble. If he can adapt quickly, he could transform the team’s attacking capabilities. If not, West Ham may find themselves struggling in a season where the competition is fiercer than ever.

The EFL Cup may not always hold the same prestige as other tournaments, but for Newcastle United and West Ham United, it represents a critical opportunity to set a positive tone for the rest of the season. With Tonali back in action for Newcastle and Füllkrug ready to make an impact for West Ham, both clubs will be eager to prove they have what it takes to succeed.