Eddie Howe names two Newcastle United players who had a ‘difficult experience’ v Man City

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe reflected on a “difficult experience” for teenage duo Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley against Manchester City on Wednesday night.

The pair were handed their full Magpies debuts for the Carabao Cup tie at St James’ Park but were hooked off at the break following a dominant first half by Man City.

Howe introduced Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon in their place which helped swing the game in United’s favour with Alexander Isak’s 53rd-minute goal earning a 1-0 victory.

Asked about their withdrawal, Howe said: “I was pleased with both players, a very difficult half for us. We knew we were slightly imbalanced. Not a reflection on the players that came off but I felt I had to do something to give us the best chance to win the game.

“They’re both going to be top players for us, I’ve got no doubt about that. And sometimes with a difficult experience, which it probably would have been for both players, you can grow a lot from that.

“It can be a really good thing looking back in a couple of years for both of them what happened today.”

Hall, 19, joined on loan from Chelsea in the summer, a deal that will become permanent for an initial £28million at the end of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Miley, 17, is a product of the Newcastle academy and was making just his second competitive senior start. The midfielder played his way into Howe’s plans earlier in the summer after impressing during the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.