A tough night for Newcastle United in our Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, as fine margins, missed chances and visible fatigue cost us against a Man City who take a 2-0 lead to the Etihad next month.
We didn’t play badly, had our moments and generally defended better against heavy hitters like Haaland, Foden and Doku, but missed opportunities from Wissa early in each half coupled with clear signs of fatigue and a poor goal to concede at the death leaves us with a mountain to climb.
There wasn’t much in it, yet our ‘big chances’ were missed, Man City’s were taken and it felt like a game too far for a tired and injury-hit Newcastle squad after huge efforts to see off Crystal Palace, Leeds and Bournemouth in our last three home games over the past 10 days.
It felt like everyone, fans included, were feeling a little fatigued, as the atmosphere inside St James’ Park never quite hit the heights it needed to, much like our performance.
Howe made six changes from Saturday’s FA Cup win, as Pope, Hall, Miley, Bruno, Joelinton and Gordon replaced Ramsdale, Livramento, Trippier, Tonali, Willock and Barnes, with Elanga back on the bench.
Newcastle XI: Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Joelinton, Ramsey, Guimaraes – J.Murphy, Wissa, Gordon
Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Tonali, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, A.Murphy, Neave
Man City XI: Trafford – Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake – O’Reilly, Bernardo – Semenyo, Foden, Doku – Haaland
The first big opening was THE chance of a tight first half, as Gordon and Murphy combined brilliantly to release Wissa, but our No 9 never looked likely as his left footed shot flew over. A massive moment missed to get off to a flyer, and one we’d live to regret.
Man City weren’t making it easy for us to play out, while Doku and Semenyo were big threats down either flank, but there were fleeting moments for both our wingers as Murphy whipped in a few dangerous balls and Gordon got Nunes booked after bursting past the Portuguese international.
We were doing OK, defending far better and competing all over the pitch, but had to go through the gears in the second half and start to make our openings count if we were to grab hold of the tie.
Before the break, another injury concern cropped up as Murphy was forced off, seeing Barnes come on earlier than planned after huge efforts against Leeds and Bournemouth last week.
The second half started just like the first, as another chance fell Wissa’s way from a lovely Gordon cross. This time, a superb save from Trafford denied the DR Congo striker before Bruno’s effort struck the post seconds later.
Razor-sharp reactions from James Trafford 😤
Two MASSIVE chances for Newcastle United denied by the City keeper and just listen to the crowd erupt in St James’ Park 🔊#CarabaoCup | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/NfBDgtWGsQ
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 13, 2026
One of those nights? It felt that way, as City took the lead moments later. A tough one to concede with Ramsey off the pitch following a head injury, as Doku got space, Foden flicked on the cross and Semenyo tapped in to make it 1-0.
An outrageously long VAR call and odd decision then gave us a lifeline as Semenyo’s second was chalked off around the hour mark, then we saw more changes Woltemade, Elanga and Tonali replaced a slack Wissa, a tiring Gordon and a tidy Ramsey.
Another moment at the Gallowgate and again it didn’t go in, as Tonali fired just wide from Elanga’s knock down, then we saw more superb work from Hall as he blocked Silva’s goal-bound shot.
We looked tired and we needed to find something, only to see Woltemade bizarrely ignore the chance to shoot after Barnes got in behind and teed up the German, who much like Wissa didn’t do enough tonight.
Trippier replaced a booked Bruno before nine minutes of added time were signalled, where we saw Woltemade go inches away from connecting with a cross before Man City fired in a cheap and potentially tie-ending second in the 98th minute. A real soft goal to concede as Cherki tapped in from another slick move down our left, giving us a mountain to climb at the Etihad in next month’s second leg. Pope shanked the ball into touch leading up to the goal, but those in black and white had to do better, allowing City in too easily to make a tough task at the Etihad twice as hard.
Hall was outstanding, dribbling out of danger effortlessly and defending well, Botman was much improved after a shaky display on Saturday, Miley did about as well as he could have against the devastating Doku and Joelinton got through plenty of work once again, with Ramsey tidy in a deeper role when receiving the ball under pressure.
Wissa was poor – a little off the pace, snatching at chances and not offering enough- Bruno looked tired, Woltemade’s sloppy hold up play and reluctance to shoot caused frustration and Pope’s kicking was very Pope-like, with Elanga offering so little once again when Semenyo (the man we should’ve signed last summer) was strong, confident and scoring again at the other end.
Next up, a trip to bottom of the table Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday before a Champions League clash with PSV a week tomorrow.
Keep the faith! Howay the lads.
I think we approached the game too cautiously.
I get it’s over 2 legs but their back 4 and even starting midfield were there to be got at – and we sat back & let them play.
I remember the ball going out to Gordon in the first couple of minutes and he had the chance to run at Nunes and instead played it back to Hall & immediately knew we’d get nothing out of this game.
We needed to be high octane, high press & put them under pressure & we were neither.
Deeply disappointing.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Also last season our midfield was formidable – just a well oiled machine that dominated games.
Now I’m bored of seeing Joelinton niggling on all the time & Bruno ragging on at refs.
They broke our midfield down last night and ended up playing right through them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Finally – and I know it was against us so should care – but that goal getting disallowed 🤯🤯🤯
The first time I’ve ever seen a ref decide on an offside 🤯.
Over officiating games is killing football and that took it to a new level.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Normally our fans on here are moaning about refs and VAR “conspiracies” and “corruption” after each game. They’re a bit quiet this time, arent they?
Mind you, hearing people queueing up to cry tears for poor old Pep/Man City sticks in the throat somewhat.
The Panther(Quote)
Panther – don’t confuse my post mate. I don’t give a care about Pep or City.
My opinion is purely on the decision – it could have been any 2 teams involved.
It’s was a truly ridiculous decision regardless.
The other thing I disliked about last night & only learned it during the game as I don’t watch pre match interviews – 2 of there players had already played in the FA Cup for another club this year but the rules have been changed?!?!?!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy – sorry I was referring more to people I have been watching this morning on Sky Sports news! They are still harking back to the two supposed penalties City should have back in November!
Yes, The Cup-tied rule has now been changed.
The Panther(Quote)
Panther – I don’t suppose any of them raised the question of how they are still signing players when these breaches are still waiting to be addressed did they??!
Sharpy17(Quote)
No, of course not! Just what a great signing Semenyo was!
The Panther(Quote)
Another fine example of how well PSR is working. Bournemouth continue to have to sell off their best players while the corrupt unpunished continues to pick them off.
Sharpy17(Quote)
the whole show is BENT,PL is only for certain clubs imo
icedog(Quote)
Ice – you’re dead right mate. How many players have City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal had to sell to comply with PSR???
It’s BS. We had no choice but to sell Isak because quite simply we can’t compete with clubs like Liverpool. We couldn’t get close to the kind of wages they can pay – if we could, he’d still be a Newcastle player, I’m certain of that.
Whether we’d want him to be is another matter. But I think Howe would have wanted to build our squad around him – and in having to sell him it’s knocked our plans to pot. It’s probably set us back 2 or 3 seasons while we try to adapt and figure out a new way of playing – which is clearly still a work in progress.
I mean we’ve spent over £100m on 2 new forwards & Bruno is our top scorer so far this season – so we’re clearly not playing to their strengths yet.
PSR has not brought fair competition, it’s meant clubs have to have to write buy out clauses into players contracts to ensure they can attract talented young players.
The PL are in the pockets of these clubs who have built the brand over the years. They will never lose favour.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Exactly and re the rule change re cup appearances, City directly benefitted from that last night, would they have won had they not had Semenyo on the pitch, I’m not so sure. We were holding our own and had we taken our chances better before he scored I think we get at least a draw.
kimtoon(Quote)
Yes, but we didn’t take our chances did we? Also, Semenyo’s goal was just a tap in, if he wasn’t there to score it then someone else would be, like Cherki scored at the end.
Face it, they are just better than us when it matters. They didn’t really do very much but still won 2-0 and it should have been three.
We actually played relatively well, but it simply wasn’t enough. It’s a pity we can’t just shake hands and forfeit the second leg with a 1-0 defeat! That goes for Liverpool, Arsenal and City away in the league too!
Never mind, though, Eddie says “we’re pinning all our hopes on Dan Burn coming back”. Great.
The Panther(Quote)
You think Eddie wouldn’t like to go out and bring in reinforcements ? We’re not City, we don’t get to spend ***** loads break the rules and get away with it.
kimtoon(Quote)
Gutted at that result. Agree with all that’s been said so far. As for the offside, technically it was the correct call as both players, Botman and Haaland were both behind Pope. What was crazy was the time it took to decide something that was technically offside according to the rule book. 🤷🏻♂️
I see Spurs have signed Gallagher today for £34million. He would’ve been a good and more effective replacement for Willock.
We seem to be completely absent from the transfer market despite have no back up defence, yet the septic 6 seem pretty active.
I think we are out the Carabao Cup. We will not overturn a 2 goal deficit away at city. Focus on FA cup now.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Do I think Eddie doesn’t want to go out and bring in reinforcements? Actually, I don’t think he does. Not at all. He just wants Burn and Krafth to come back. He likes to stick with what he has, constantly fretting about buying “the wrong players”. He doesn’t like taking a gamble.
Agreed, Gallagher would have been a great signing. Get £10 million for Willock and buy him. Not in Eddie’s world. Too much risk.
“Concentrate on the FA Cup”. Ha ha. Good luck with that one!
The Panther(Quote)
I get the frustration about the cup tied players & I was a bit last night.
But ultimately we suffered not being able to select Dubravka for the final having played for Man Utd – we thought that it was a stupid rule then and whether it was down to that or not – they correctly learned from that injustice and changed the rule.
I can’t complain about it now 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Don’t take chances you get punished by quality opposition.
I actually thought last nights game spoke volumes for where we are right now.
Just to add, I heard last night we hadn’t scored at the etihad under howe. Thought that must be wrong, but checked and its terrifyingly true.
Scott(Quote)
Scott – and yet I bet the away end is packed out and in full voice
Sharpy17(Quote)
Scott(Quote)
On paper Gallagher seems like good value and he would suit our aggressive CM overload system. However, I don’t think he has the right mentality – it shows itself in lack of discipline with cards, but I think there are bigger tactical discipline challenges that are less obvious which undermine the performance that his technical and physical ability should be able to produce at the very top level.
Howe the toon(Quote)
I’d rather spend the money on a RB and put Miley back in midfield
Sharpy17(Quote)
Me too
kimtoon(Quote)
Completely agree.
kimtoon(Quote)
Marc Guehi going to City for £20million! 😳😳😡 clearly they just going to spend, spend, spend…
Gilly Toon(Quote)
How are they getting away with it ffs,,what about the 151 charges they have to answer
Icedog(Quote)
It’s unbelievable Ice… and he’ll probably play against us in the cup in a few weeks as no cup tied rules anymore either. 🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Just shows the Newcastle tax too… they wanted £70 million when we wanted him! 🤷🏻♂️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Players and agents must know City are not going to face any sanctions because they would be advising them to steer clear.
When you think how quickly other teams have been dealt with, it stinks.
kimtoon(Quote)
Currently have no virgin tv waiting 20 mins to connect to agent on phone, only renewed with them 5 days ago for 24 months ! Might have a rethink on that decision.
kimtoon(Quote)
as if we haven got enough to deal with ffs
icedog(Quote)
Interesting that Elliott Anderson says he wouldn’t be playing for England if he had stayed at Newcastle….. Is there a message in that to any young players under Eddie Howe at Newcastle. Even without the PSR the implications of that statement is quite damming imo.
Joseph(Quote)
We seem to take forever in transfer activity with these owners. By the time we got to any activity, players are gone to other clubs. We need defenders, we have money to spend, ffs just go and get them! More action, less talking!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Ice I’m not happy got to wait until next week for engineer visit now. Won’t be able to watch the game either.🤬
kimtoon(Quote)