Newcastle United eased into the fourth round of the EFL Cup with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Bradford City at St. James' Park. The reigning champions began their campaign in impressive fashion, showcasing their Premier League quality against the League One side.

The Magpies asserted their dominance early in the match. Joelinton opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a composed finish, sidefooting the ball into the bottom corner after a blocked effort from Anthony Gordon. Just two minutes later, William Osula doubled the lead, capitalizing on the momentum. Newcastle maintained control throughout the first half, boasting 75% possession and creating numerous chances.

After the break, Newcastle continued to press. In the 61st minute, Jacob Murphy extended their lead, further solidifying their advantage. Despite Newcastle's dominance, Bradford City managed to pull one back in the 79th minute, offering a glimmer of hope for a comeback. However, any chance of a Bradford revival was quickly extinguished as Osula scored his second goal of the night in the 90th minute, assisted by Harvey Barnes, sealing a 4-1 victory for Newcastle.

Newcastle's performance reflected their superior quality and determination to defend their EFL Cup title. Eddie Howe's side demonstrated their attacking prowess and controlled the game effectively. While Bradford City showed glimpses of resilience, they were ultimately outmatched by the Premier League side.

The victory sees Newcastle advance to the fourth round of the EFL Cup, where they will look to continue their quest for silverware. For Bradford City, the focus returns to their League One campaign, where they aim to build on their positive start to the season.

The match took place at St. James' Park, the home of Newcastle United, in front of a packed crowd. The stadium, which has a capacity of over 52,000, provided a great atmosphere for the EFL Cup encounter.