Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)placeholder image
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United: Eddie Howe reacts as the Carabao Cup holders were knocked out 5-1 on aggregate at the Etihad Stadium.
City led 2-0 on aggregate heading into the match after winning the first leg at St James’ Park last month.
Omar Marmoush’s goal inside the opening seven minutes effectively put the tie to bed early on before the Egyptian added a second and Tijjani Reijnders made it 3-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate with just 32 minutes played.
Half-time substitute Anthony Elanga pulled back a consolation goal with a fine solo effort to open his account for the club in his 32nd appearance.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this linkto join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Eddie Howe ‘really annoyed’ with NUFC first-half performance
Reflecting on the match, Howe said: “We were craving that first goal, we didn't get it. And when Manchester City get it, you know, our task becomes even more difficult.
“I don't think we played well in that first half an hour. We were losing too many individual duels, and when you do that against the quality of opposition that we were playing tonight, it's always going to be tough.
“And saying that, we had good opportunities to score in both halves. And I think if you add up all our opportunities in both games against them in this tie, there's a lot of missed opportunities in front of goal, which ultimately I think cost us.
The Magpies boss added: “Really annoyed with the first-half display, because I think we pride ourselves on being really organised, and tactically we want to be able to handle any problem the opposition gives us, but that first-half, I just don't think we were good enough individually, and our jaws, as I said, were off. That gave us huge problems.
“We didn't defend well at all, I don't think. So, yeah, first-half was really disappointing.”
What now for Newcastle United?
Newcastle are now out of the Carabao Cup and currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table with 14 games left to play.
Howe’s side face a trip to Aston Villa in the FA Cup later this month before heading to Qarabag in the Champions League knockout round play-offs.
“We're still fighting on several fronts,” Howe said. “I think the game's coming thick and fast, there's no let-up for us. We need to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible, it's the only thing that gives you new energy.”
Continue Reading