Newcastle were looking to keep alive their hopes of defending the trophy they won last year but now face the incredibly daunting task of overturning a two-goal deficit at the Etihad.
Here are the main talking points to emerge from the game:
**ANTOINE SEMENYO**
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It was only last week, after Antoine Semenyo had completed his move to Manchester City, that Eddie Howe discovered the winger would be available to play in this Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, despite having featured for Bournemouth in the competition earlier this season.
“I have to say that’s one rule change I probably wouldn’t be supportive of at this current moment,” said Howe.
It felt like an understatement and considering Howe wasn’t a fan of the fact the winger was allowed to take to the field at St James’ Park on Tuesday night, you can only imagine how he felt when Semenyo tapped City into the lead early in the second half. Particularly with Jacob Ramsey off the pitch after having treatment on a head injury. In the Sky studio after the game, Dan Burn was adamant the Magpies wouldn't have conceded the goal with 11 players on the pitch.
It was one of only three touches Semenyo had in the Newcastle box in the first hour. With his fourth, he doubled Manchester City’s lead, his finish clever. The Magpies were saved by a controversial – to say the least - VAR review, the response the biggest cheer of the night in St James’ Park. But it left plenty of onlookers, including TV pundit Chris Sutton, bewildered. “Incredible” was his verdict on the decision to chalk off the goal.
Regardless of whether it was the right or wrong call, the fact it took more than five minutes to come to the decision, with fans in the stadium in the dark as to what was going on was shambolic.
TWO HUGE NEARLY MOMENTS
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City’s opener came after Newcastle’s best spell of the game and after James Trafford made a quite brilliant save to keep out Yoane Wissa’s looping header, which was followed by Bruno’s low drive coming back off the post.
Wissa was unlucky, but there was nothing misfortunate about the opportunity he missed just five minutes into the first half. Teed up by Jacob Murphy, the striker had the time to take a touch inside the box and pick his spot, but instead he lost all composure and blazed over.
Howe admitted in his pre-match press conference on Monday that Manchester City, he felt, were the toughest possible opponents over two legs. He was also happy to admit he’d have much preferred to be away from home first. Newcastle needed to use the St James’ Park crowd to their advantage, he said, and just imagine what an early goal would have done.
Newcastle obviously had to be measured in their approach. They wanted to win it but will have been well aware of the risk of losing it. Still, for just the second time this season Manchester City failed to have a shot on target in a half in the opening period. It felt like Newcastle had to take advantage and they couldn’t.
**INJURY BLOW**
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Newcastle discovered the extent of Tino Livramento’s injury in the hours leading up to the game, with the full-back set to miss eight weeks of action.
They then suffered a further setback deep in the first half when Murphy – who’d caused City problems – was forced off and replaced by Harvey Barnes. Barnes has been in dazzling form of late but Murphy was missed.
At a time of the season when Howe needs to shuffle his pack to keep his players fresh, the Magpies simply can’t afford to keep losing key figures to injuries.
On the subject of Livramento, in his absence Kieran Trippier felt the most likely starter but it’s testament to just how impressive Lewis Miley has played at right-back of late that he got the nod for a game of this magnitude.
**SECOND LEG TRUTH**
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Not since August – when Thomas Frank’s Tottenham won at the Etihad - have Manchester City lost a domestic game at home.
Their Premier League record this season reads eight wins from 11 home games, 27 goals scored and just eight conceded. Only Arsenal have a better home record.
And nobody on Tyneside needs reminding of Newcastle’s struggles on the road this season, even if recent wins over Everton and Burnley have crucially changed the narrative.
Not since 2014 have Newcastle won at the Etihad. They've since suffered 11 straight defeats and failed to score on their last seven visits.
A goal down, Newcastle would have been up against it. But two...tie over? Howe obviously won't see it like that and his players can't see it like that. But if Newcastle were to overturn this deficit in the second leg at the Etihad and keep alive their hopes of holding on to the trophy they won last year, it would be Howe's greatest feat as United's head coach.