Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans alongside Jason Tindall, Assistant Manager of Newcastle United, after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans alongside Jason Tindall, Assistant Manager of Newcastle United, after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on February 21, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Newcastle fell behind in the 14th minute through Nico O’Reilly’s strike before the same player restored his side’s lead five minutes after Lewis Hall equalised.
Having played on the counter-attack in the first-half, the Magpies saw a lot more of the ball in the second-half but were unable to break Man City down.
Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle United’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City;
Reflecting on his side’s performance, Howe said: “Yeah, a good effort from the lads today, I thought, physically. It's been not just a tough week, it's been a really tough run of fixtures for us.
“I think the big thing for me is that every time we enter the pitch, I want the players to empty, I want the players to give everything in the pursuit of winning. I can't ask any more physically from the players today, that was us all out.
“We played with a good style, I thought, a good, clear plan. The players executed it really well, bar a couple of moments.
“The two goals, I don't think we defended well enough, we made individual errors. I thought we chased the game really well in the second half because it's a really tough thing to do here against this team. But I'm pleased with the efforts that the players gave.”
Newcastle beat Man City in the reserve Premier League fixture at St James’ Park but have now lost their last three, losing both Carabao Cup semi-final ties and tonight.
Howe added: “I think the previous games we've had, so you take the cup game for example, I think we had more chances maybe to score in that game. But there was a different feeling around our performance, the game was almost dead at 3-0 and we were getting chances in the game.
“But I don't know whether Manchester City were all out in that moment, whereas today I thought they were and we were. I thought it was a really good game in the respect that both teams were going for each other.
“I think you have to take into account that the game in midweek for us to travel, there was no excuse. The players just turned up and had to physically give their best and I thought it was a good performance.”
Eddie Howe not happy with match officials
Howe expressed his frustration at the officials following the narrow defeat as two key moments were put to the Magpies’ head coach in his post-match press conference.
Dan Burn thought he had equalised on the brink of half-time but was flagged offside. The replays showed the Blyth-born defender was pushed into an offside position by Ruben Dias but the offside stood.
In response, Howe said: “I only saw it from the viewpoint that I thought he was offside, so I didn't see the push because I'm looking at a still frame really. But yeah, he might be able to tell me more.”
When it was suggested there is a rule to say you can’t be offside if you are shoved into that position, Howe replied: “Yeah, well, I didn't know about that rule, so maybe you've educated me for the first time on something.
“But if that is the case, then I think we've got it. I haven't seen the push, but if that is the case but if that is the case, then I'll seek clarification.”
Burn was then the receiving end of a blatant foul by Bernardo Silva, who was already sitting on a yellow card.
Asked if he saw the incident, Howe said: “I didn't. It might be one I missed, complaining probably about something else.
“I don't think we were on the right end of the decisions today, but I don't want to go down that road, I'm not one of those managers that wants to continually criticise officials.
“But I thought, again, it was one that we probably didn't get the right end of the decisions.”
Continue Reading