The League Two outfit held their own in a thriller at Rodney Parade, during which Fernandes’ comment to Evans spoke volumes of his class. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring by lashing home Antony’s cutback after just seven minutes before Kobbie Mainoo netted his maiden senior goal to double the visitors’ lead six minutes later.
However, United then missed a flurry of opportunities before Bryn Morris offered Newport a glimmer of hope with a sensational long-range strike that left Altay Bayindir with no chance of intervention. Just two minutes after half-time, Evans flung his name into the headlines by incredible equalising for the hosts, directing a square ball past Bayindir to tease a monumental upset in South Wales.
But United’s quality prevailed on the night, with Antony scoring his first goal of the season before Rasmus Hojlund left no doubt in stoppage time to seal a 4-2 triumph and progress. Evans has since discussed the experience of playing against some of world football’s biggest stars, including Fernandes.
And the 26-year-old has revealed a three-word comment the United captain directed at him after he netted the equaliser that displayed his humility to a tee. “We’re saying we can’t wait to get into Antony or Bruno, and everyone came off the pitch saying the exact same about all of them.
Saying they’re actually the most genuine… well, they’re just normal blokes. Bruno, after I scored my goal, I was running back, and he tapped me on the back and said: ‘Good finish, mate’.
In his post-match interview about Bryn Morris’ strike, he said: ‘The lad scored a brilliant strike [unbelievable shot] just before half-time’. (Image: Getty)
Evans also hailed Fernandes’ Portuguese compatriot Diogo Dalot as the United player who impressed him the most during the tie.
He said: “Dalot [impressed me the most]. There was a ball that came over my head and it was probably chest height, and I’m watching it the whole way, and I see him in front of me.
And he just – in the air – back-heeled it back to the ‘keeper. And I just thought, what?
What chance have I got? And he’s rapid.
He is lightning-quick. I wasn’t surprised.
Like you said, you’re not surprised by it, but he was crazy for me.”