Newcastle crashed out the FA Cup to holders Manchester City as Eddie Howe’s change in tactical shape did not provide much joy for the Magpies.
Bernardo Silva’s deflected brace separated the sides on a wet night in the North West. Both first-half goals were fortunate, but came after some more stand-off defending; much like we saw in Monday’s 3-2 defeat at Chelsea.
It continues a torrid run of form at the Etihad – a stadium the Toon have only won once at – and puts all the focus back to the Premier League, where we sit three points behind 7th placed West Ham; our next opponents in two weeks time after the international break.
Howe made two changes from Chelsea, as Jamaal Lascelles and Jacob Murphy came in for Tino Livramento – out with a minor ankle knock – and Miguel Almiron. This also meant a change in system, featuring three at the back, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy at wing-back, the usual midfield three – keeping Miley and Anderson on the bench – and Anthony Gordon in attack with Alexander Isak.
13 minutes in, City played the ball around the final third with poise and worked it right to Bernardo. His shot looped over Dubravka via the outstretched leg of Dan Burn to open the scoring.
Howe’s Mags reacted better than they did against Chelsea earlier in the week, but City were soon two goals ahead. Again, Bernardo Silva on the right. Again, a deflection – this time off Botman. Again, Dubravka beaten by a strike he would have normally stopped.
At the break we found ourselves 2-0 down, but it could have been a smaller deficit. Isak squandered a great chance before half-time after volleying a knock down from Burn. But Ortega in the Citizens’ net was equal to the shot from around 10 yards out.
The second-half started similarly to the end of the first. City kept piling the pressure on and Newcastle sat back and tried to force chances on the counter.
But it wasn’t until Howe made a quadruple substitution around the hour mark that Newcastle looked to have gained any amount of energy in the game.
The introduction of Hall, Almiron, Miley and Anderson injected a bit of a buzz to the build up play with 30 minutes remaining, but a strike on target was seemingly too much for those in black and white.
City hesitated on the ball midway through the second-half allowing Almiron to nick in, his pass to Isak was the obvious choice in a 3 v 2 scenario. He found the Swedish forward, but his first touch was uncharacteristically poor and was forced wide himself when a shot was on.
Lewis Hall in particular looked like he was taking the opportunity to make the case to Howe for more minutes. The young left back had some neat touches and showed a lot of willing to progress the ball, despite the scoreline.
The story of the night however, was one of City dominance and Newcastle hesitance as we failed to take our chances. Last season’s treble winners didn’t look like they got out of second gear.
Once again this season, the Toon bow out of a cup at the quarter-final stage and the search for silverware will go on another year.
Next up, a warm weather training camp in Dubai for those not representing their countries, followed by West Ham at St James’ Park in two weeks time.
(3-5-2): Dubravka – Schar, Lascelles, Botman – Murphy, Longstaff, Bruno, Willock, Burn – Gordon, Isak.
SUBS: Karius, Dummett, Ritchie, Targett, Krafth, Hall, Almiron, Anderson, Miley.
Very disappointed with that. Out with a whimper … didn’t even try as far as I could see, until the subs came on and even then, not much effect. Season done now.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’ve been critical of Howe recently for sticking with a badly losing formula – but to be fair he mixed it up yesterday.
It wasn’t a bonny watch but I think that was more down to the players than Howe & the new formation.
Really disappointing defending yesterday – obviously for the goals but also in general, it was just very lazy.
When you consider a place in the next round of the cup was on offer, I didn’t see defending for their lives, closing down quickly, throwing themselves into blocks.
Going forward we lacked quality too. Isak should have put his chance away & then got the ball stuck under his feet after a pass from Miggy in the 2nd half – stick one of them away & the game gets interesting.
The change of formation wasn’t a disaster imo but highlighted the obvious problem – we need to upgrade certain players desperately.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We started the season so well, but then injuries and the PSG away result which should of been so different all had varying effects on our form and confidence.
Watching Leicester take the game to Chelsea yesterday really highlighted our lack of conviction to come back into a game even when the odds are stacked against you.
Last season we had that in spades, but we are now back to that fragile Newcastle I am oh so familiar with.
Need an injection of new blood into our team, hopefully with upgraded skill levels and pace which certain players are lacking in.
We still have much to play for in regards to season end position, question is, do we still have the hunger and that s hithousery we had last season still in us ?
kimtoon(Quote)
So Forrest had four points off for breaking spending rules
Icedog(Quote)
Indeed, but still nothing for City and Chelsea. And how come Forest have 4 points deduction but Everton had 6? Is it just arbitrary? FA are a corrupt joke!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
how are City getting away with it,money changing hands somewhere me thinks,as Gilly says what have Chelsea spent on players since takeover nearly 1 billion M/U over 400mil,nowt done someone needs to come in and oversee this ****
icedog(Quote)
Seems to me, obvious corruption aside, that there should be different rules for different clubs.
Cat A playing in Europe.
Cat B Aspirant Clubs. Got the money to spend, no risk of bankruptcy
Cat C Established Clubs. Been in the EPL for four or more years
Cat D Yo-Yo Clubs and Newbies.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I think it’s a disgrace that the PL can deduct points from Forest using a fair play matrix they know isn’t fit for purpose.
In Forests case they could have actually dodged FFP if they sold Brendan Johnson earlier in the window – but that would have meant accepting £10m less than they actually got for him 🤔.
I get there has to be a time frame for these calculations – but there also has to be common sense.
I don’t want us to spent like Chelsea or Man City do – selling their home grown talents to fund it.
But if we have to sell players like Bruno & Isak, then we are having to take 2 steps backwards for 1 step forwards imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
When is the end of the accounting period? If it’s in the middle of a transfer window it’s not fit for purpose and Forest should have changed it
PremAndUp(Quote)
Botman out for months with an ACL injury? Just seen a story in the Chronic… you seriously couldn’t make it up.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
The 14 teams (non toxic 6), need to get together with a class action lawsuit against the PL for stifling competition. The rules are not fit for purpose for the 14 teams not part of the cartel. Not one will ever be able to challenge effectively and consistently as they will just get penalised. No other industry would allow such archaic anti competitive rules to stifle competition
Gilly Toon(Quote)
There’s a lot of chat about Southgate becoming Man Utd manager after the Euros – it all feels very similar to how they’ve gone about the Ashworth saga – back handed & very unprofessional.
But if it comes off, do we fear losing Howe to England???
The only other candidate I can think with a genuine shout would be Potter.
Sharpy17(Quote)
This summer so long as we keep Izak I’m happy.
Naglesmann for Howe
£100m for Bruno
not disasters.
Dont want to lose them but S happens
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – I’d agree with that mate, but I’d want Joelinton signed up adding to the list as well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agreed we have plenty of midfielders. One or two we can lose, one or two coming through and maybe one to buy.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – I’d want rid of Longstaff as well mate.
I’m happy with Joelinton & Willock left side, and Tonali & Miley central – if Bruno stays he plays right side getting further forward – if he goes I’d want 2 new right sided midfielders for the balance.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We also have Anderson.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – oh yeah I forgot about Anderson. He’d be left side or wide left cover I reckon
Sharpy17(Quote)
Comments going missing again?
Anyone watching the lasses cup final? 1-1 at half time. We’ve had no shots on target. Our goal came from an OG. Oh dear
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well, that was sh.ite. Lost 2-1. Dear me. Very poor.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Keep losing comments!! Last try !!
nutmag(Quote)
Chuffed for Gordon last night. He grew into the game & made a real case for him being in the final squad.
I thought Bruno stood out last night as well – he did a lot of good work in a packed out midfield full of quality players.
In terms of England though, I thought Chilwell was so poor.
If I was Tino I’d be on to Howe to give him a run at LB – especially with Botman out. Move Burn CB and give Tino a chance to steak his claim for the LB spot for England – coz other than Shaw, I’m not sure who else would have a genuine shout.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Fully agree with all you said there Sharpy!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Miley injured and out for up to 6 weeks. 🤷🏻♂️🙄😬😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – it’s gone beyond stupid now mate hasn’t it.
We have 10 games left – if Howe can field a 5 a side team by the last game of the season he’ll be doing well!!.
This season can’t end soon enough now like 😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stupid indeed. I guess we will see how some of our other youngsters look. Harrison from City and Joe White perhaps. Their time to step up and get noticed like Miley did.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I’ve been meaning to post this a while now and only just remembered coz I’m watching him.
Another name from my Championship scouting is Leif Davis.
He’s Ipswich LB who can also play CB if needed. He reminds me a bit of Tino – in that he just gets on with it. But he’s very effective!! 35 games – 17 assists and 1 goal.
He’s only 24 – and he’s a Geordie!!. Yes he started out at Wallsend Boys before Leeds picked him up.
I could see him & Gordon striking up a great partnership – and could see a future with Tino RB and Leif LB.
One to watch if Ipswich fail to get promoted imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)