Newcastle United's Fabian Schar celebrates after scoring the opening goal...

Newcastle United's Fabian Schar celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English League Cup third round match at St James' Park, Newcastle, England, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Credit: AP/Owen Humphreys

NEWCASTLE, England — Newcastle set up a fourth-round match against Chelsea in the English League Cup by beating fourth-tier AFC Wimbledon 1-0 on Tuesday.

Fabian Schar’s coolly taken penalty in first-half stoppage time earned Newcastle a victory that was significantly more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.

The game was played a week after the third-round fixture was scheduled to take place. It had to be rearranged — and played at Newcastle's St. James' Park — after flooding caused severe damage to the pitch at Wimbledon's Cherry Red Records Stadium.

A crowd of 51,739 watched the rearranged game.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe made eight changes to the team which started Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

Schar was one of those retained and tucked away the spot kick after Wimbledon defender Joe Pigott was adjudged to have fouled Miguel Almiron in the area.

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