We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2.
If a casual observer was to read that scoreline, they might assume this was a routine victory for the citizens. But it was not – Newcastle gave them a proper game.
It’s just that Man City are so good at so many things.
Tonight, they pressed a little better than we did, they passed a little better than we did, and – crucially – they were a great deal more clinical than we were.
We had some good spells, we had some good chances, and we fought until the bitter end. It just wasn’t our night.
At 0-1, I’d have said we were in with a chance of reaching the final, but another sickly last-minute concession took all but the faintest hope away.
I’m not sure what the bookies are saying, but I’d say we have a 0.01% chance of qualifying for the final, so if Eddie wants to de-prioritise the second leg, I won’t give him pelters.
The fixture list is unrelenting and we have one set of defenders.
We had a lengthy VAR intervention over a Man City goal that everyone inside St James’ Park thought was valid. I know it went in our favour, but come on…if a Newcastle United goal was ever disallowed for the same ‘offence’ I’d be livid.
There is a tendency among some fans to berate players when we lose – no matter how we play – and there were a few leaving the ground using words like ‘abysmal’, ‘useless’, ‘disgrace’ and worse. But I was happy with the majority of our players.
We were just beaten by a world class side with two decades of high-level investment behind them (much of it pre-PSR). It was no disgrace and I don’t plan to be too critical.
One other observation – the Carabao Cup used to be derided in some quarters, but I saw two strong teams going at this game hammer and tongs. The four semi-finalists are Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle, so don’t let anyone tell you last year’s triumph didn’t mean anything.
Nick Pope 7
A couple of good saves, one from Haaland in particular.
Wasn’t at fault for either goal.
It wasn’t a game in which Man City were constantly peppering his goal, and for much of the time, he didn’t have an awful lot to do.
Lewis Miley 7
This was a big test for Lewis and he came through it OK.
Doku went past him with ease once or twice in the first half but he got to grips with things and played well overall.
Malick Thiaw 7
Did his best, and did quite well.
Man City didn’t allow him any time on the ball – along with his team mates – but he was brave enough to play his normal game.
Sven Botman 7
Was strong and decisive.
Not too much got past him, although it looked to me like he lost concentration for Man City’s second.
Lewis Hall 9
Our best player by a mile.
Tougher than he looks and capable of some Messi-like dribbling.
As capable in attack as he is in defence.
Man City are – allegedly – interested in buying Tino Livramento. After this, they may want to buy his mate too.
Jacob Ramsey 7
He has been improving, and I thought he looked the part tonight, especially in the first half.
Combative, composed and not easy to play against. Decent game.
Bruno Guimaraes 7
As ever, our only midfielder who looks for a forward pass as soon as he receives the ball.
Tried his best, worked his socks off, never let Man City’s midfield relax, even hit the post, but he couldn’t influence the game.
Joelinton 7
Another one who has no need to feel bad about his display.
Before he was rested, I said on here that he wasn’t as combative as I remember him.
Now he is fit again, he is, and it’s good to see.
Jacob Murphy 6
Give Murphy the ball on the halfway line and the chances are he’ll lose it or pass it back.
Put it in front of him in the final third and he’ll try and get a first time cross into the box.
This was the case tonight – he would have had an assist (and I hate saying this) if Isak had been here.
He did OK – and protected Miley quite well – until what looked like a hamstring injury curtailed his evening.
Yoane Wissa 5
Disappointing, although I’m not sure we’re playing to his strengths so far.
He’s not a target man, so we have to find a better way of using him.
He did bring a top save out of Trafford with an improvised header but he fluffed his lines early doors from a very presentable chance.
You don’t get many against Man City and the tie could have turned out far differently if he’d kept his composure.
Anthony Gordon 6.5
I thought AG did quite well – he had Nunes on the ropes a few times – and certainly did what he could to help the cause.
But I don’t remember him creating any concrete chances.
SUBS
Harvey Barnes 6
Brought on to replace a stricken Murphy and received a deserved ovation from the crowd.
Looked lively, but, unfortunately, didn’t have much real impact on the game.
Was done for Man City’s first goal. That’s not a damning criticism – Doku is a very good player – but fine margins and all that.
Nick Woltemade 5
Was inches away from scoring a couple of times, but despite his height, he’s not a dominating force up front.
As ever, showed some nice touches, but not enough.
Nick Woltemade Newcastle Diving For Ball Manchester City
Sandro Tonali 6
Everyone agrees Sandro is not hitting the heights consistently this season but I though he looked pretty good when he came on.
Getting up to speed in a fast-paced game against world class opposition is never going to be easy but he handled it well.
Anthony Elanga 4
This should have been his sort of game.
Man City play a high line and he is quick. Had one promising moment but hesitated. Other than that, he was anonymous.
Kieran Trippier N/A
Not on long enough to judge.