Newcastle battled to the end at the Etihad but still came away empty-handed
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe shouts instructions from the sidelines
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe deemed the performance against Manchester City as a good one as the Magpies fell short at the Etihad Stadium.
Howe was disappointed with the goals conceded, but was pleased with the determination despite the defeat. Newcastle did not let fatigue show too much after their 2,500 mile trip to face Qarabag but ultimately left empty-handed.
Howe, speaking after the game, Howe said: "Considering everything we have put into the last few weeks, that was a good performance.
"It wasn't good enough but we went toe to toe with them. We were equals in the game, we were well in it. Didn't defend the two goals well enough, that's the disappointment really."
Howe also took solace from the fact United stayed in the game until the end unlike the Carabao Cup defeat here earlier in the campaign. On that occasion, Newcastle were blown away inside the first half to effectively kill the tie off by the interval.
However, their return to the Etihad saw a more determined and disciplined performance which almost saw them grab what would have been a deserved equaliser at the death.
Howe said: "We were in it right until the end with Harvey [Barnes'] shot right until the end. We were chasing the game against a very good team. We did that to a man excellently all game.
"The end product, the last cross, the last finish was not quite there. There were several occasions where we should have done better.
"We've returned to a good way of playing, our way of playing. We have done that over the last four games and as long as we get that consistently I'll be happy."
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