Fine margins cost fatigued Toon – Newcastle 0-2 Man City

We didn’t play badly, had our moments and generally defended better against heavy hitters like Haaland, Foden and Doku, but missed opportunities from Wissa early in each half coupled with clear signs of fatigue and a poor goal to concede at the death leaves us with a mountain to climb.

There wasn’t much in it, yet our ‘big chances’ were missed, Man City’s were taken and it felt like a game too far for a tired and injury-hit Newcastle squad after huge efforts to see off Crystal Palace, Leeds and Bournemouth in our last three home games over the past 10 days.

It felt like everyone, fans included, were feeling a little fatigued, as the atmosphere inside St James’ Park never quite hit the heights it needed to, much like our performance.

Howe made six changes from Saturday’s FA Cup win, as Pope, Hall, Miley, Bruno, Joelinton and Gordon replaced Ramsdale, Livramento, Trippier, Tonali, Willock and Barnes, with Elanga back on the bench.

Newcastle XI: Pope – Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall – Joelinton, Ramsey, Guimaraes – J.Murphy, Wissa, Gordon

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Tonali, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, A.Murphy, Neave

Man City XI: Trafford – Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake – O’Reilly, Bernardo – Semenyo, Foden, Doku – Haaland

The first big opening was THE chance of a tight first half, as Gordon and Murphy combined brilliantly to release Wissa, but our No 9 never looked likely as his left footed shot flew over. A massive moment missed to get off to a flyer, and one we’d live to regret.

Man City weren’t making it easy for us to play out, while Doku and Semenyo were big threats down either flank, but there were fleeting moments for both our wingers as Murphy whipped in a few dangerous balls and Gordon got Nunes booked after bursting past the Portuguese international.

We were doing OK, defending far better and competing all over the pitch, but had to go through the gears in the second half and start to make our openings count if we were to grab hold of the tie.

Before the break, another injury concern cropped up as Murphy was forced off, seeing Barnes come on earlier than planned after huge efforts against Leeds and Bournemouth last week.

The second half started just like the first, as another chance fell Wissa’s way from a lovely Gordon cross. This time, a superb save from Trafford denied the DR Congo striker before Bruno’s effort struck the post seconds later.

Razor-sharp reactions from James Trafford 😤

Two MASSIVE chances for Newcastle United denied by the City keeper and just listen to the crowd erupt in St James’ Park 🔊#CarabaoCup | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/NfBDgtWGsQ

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 13, 2026

One of those nights? It felt that way, as City took the lead moments later. A tough one to concede with Ramsey off the pitch following a head injury, as Doku got space, Foden flicked on the cross and Semenyo tapped in to make it 1-0.

An outrageously long VAR call and odd decision then gave us a lifeline as Semenyo’s second was chalked off around the hour mark, then we saw more changes Woltemade, Elanga and Tonali replaced a slack Wissa, a tiring Gordon and a tidy Ramsey.

Another moment at the Gallowgate and again it didn’t go in, as Tonali fired just with from Elanga’s knock down, then we saw more superb work from Hall as he blocked Silva’s goal-bound shot.

We looked tired and we needed to find something, only to see Woltemade bizarrely ignore the chance to shoot after Barnes got in behind and teed up the German, who much like Wissa didn’t do enough tonight.

Trippier replaced a booked Bruno before nine minutes of added time were signalled, where we saw Woltemade go inches away from connecting with a cross before Man City fired in a cheap and potentially tie-ending second in the 98th minute. A real soft goal to concede as Cherki tapped in from another slick move down our left, giving us a mountain to climb at the Etihad in next month’s second leg. Pope shanked the ball into touch leading up to the goal, but those in black and white had to do better, allowing City in too easily to make a tough task at the Etihad twice as hard.

Hall was outstanding, dribbling out of danger effortlessly and defending well, Botman was much improved after a shaky display on Saturday, Miley did about as well as he could have against the devastating Doku and Joelinton got through plenty of work once again, with Ramsey tidy in a deeper role when receiving the ball under pressure.

Wissa was poor – a little off the pace, snatching at chances and not offering enough- Bruno looked tired, Woltemade’s sloppy hold up play and reluctance to shoot caused frustration and Pope’s kicking was very Pope-like, with Elanga offering so little once again when Semenyo (the man we should’ve signed last summer) was strong, confident and scoring again at the other end.

Next up, a trip to bottom of the table Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday before a Champions League clash with PSV a week tomorrow.

Keep the faith! Howay the lads.