Tuesday’s match ended Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2.
Ahead of each match we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.
Plenty to talk about after this Man City one!
Which has taken NUFC to the the halfway point in this two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final.
On this occasion it is ‘Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…’:
POSITIVES
We made a game of it
We can debate all night the fact that Man City have cheated their way to the summit of the English game and if that sounds like sour grapes, it’s meant to.
But they are a top, top team and we competed.
A case of small margins.
Trafford pulls of a worldie before Bruno’s shot canons off the post, Ramsey makes a brilliant challenge but has to temporarily leave the field and whilst we’re down to ten men, someone who would have been cup-tied last season in this competition, turns the ball into the United net.
Injuries and availability
Although Jacob Murphy was replaced just before half-time by Harvey Barnes, it has been reported that this isn’t serious and I don’t think anyone else limped off injured, so that’s a bonus.
We can concentrate on the league(s)
That old adage.
With trips to the Etihad and Villa Park coming up, I suspect we won’t be Wembley bound come next May.
But there’s always the league(s).
What price a trip to Budapest in the Champions League to compensate? Or going on a mazy run to plunder another top five finish in the Premier League?
NEGATIVES
We’re Out
The pessimist in me says we’re out.
You have to go back to October 2014 for a United win at the Etihad, in fact, that is the only win we’ve registered at the Commonwealth Games Stadium and even a two goal winning margin in a fortnight would still mean the lottery of a penalty shootout.
Forget it. We’re doomed…
Poor finishing
On another night, we take our chances and they’re profligate with theirs, and we might have won.
Woltemade and Wissa both guilty of missing very good chances.
Poor kicking
Pope’s woeful clearance into touch when the priority was to launch an exocet down the throat of the Man City backline, directly led to their second which has killed the tie.
Meantime, at the other end of the park, we saw why Pep Guardiola was so keen to pip Eddie Howe to James Trafford’s signature last summer.
Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2 – Tuesday 13 January 2026 8pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Man City:
Semenyo 58, Cherki 90+8
Possession was Newcastle 43% Man City 57%
Total shots were Newcastle 10 Man City 11
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Man City 4
Corners were Newcastle 5 Man City 6
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 23 Man City 27
Newcastle team v Man City:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Ramsey (Tonali 69), Joelinton, Bruno (Trippier 87), Jacob Murphy (Barnes 47), Gordon (Elanga 69), Wissa (Woltemade 69)
Subs:
Ramsdale, Willock, Alex Murphy, Neave