On Wednesday, Newcastle United eliminated Manchester City from the League Cup by a score of 1-0, earning a fourth-round matchup against the current champions Manchester United, who defeated them in the previous season’s championship game.
At St James’ Park, Swedish forward Alexander Isak scored the game’s first goal in the second half after a significantly altered City-controlled possession for the first 45 minutes but missed their opportunities.
After the break, Newcastle absorbed the pressure and completely changed, with Isak slamming in at the back post after a weak cross from Joelinton.
While Newcastle started only goalkeeper Nick Pope from the team that triumphed 8-0 against Sheffield United in the league last Sunday, City had Phil Foden and frequent goal scorer Erling Haaland on the bench.
For City, who had 68% of the possession but less attempts on target than Newcastle, Julian Alvarez had two good chances, one of which Pope’s outstretched foot stopped.
“It was a game of two halves for us,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who brought on Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon after the interval.
“First half was tough… I thought we didn’t play particularly well but defended well in that first period because we didn’t have a lot of the ball.
“In the second half we were excellent in most aspects, defensively and offensively, we attacked really well and probably deserved to win in the end.”
City, who had won the competition four years in a row from 2018 to 2021, was eliminated early for the third consecutive year.
“We played an incredible game,” City manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports television.
“They scored a goal. Last season we were out against Southampton and not there, but tonight we were. Congratulations to Newcastle.”
