Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup defence came to a crushing end with a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Manchester City in the semi-finals.
Trailing 2-0 from the first-leg defeat at St James’ Park, the Magpies lost 3-1 on the night as their dreadful record at the Etihad Stadium continued, with no win in 12 years,
Omar Marmoush, who scored a hat-trick on United’s last visit to Eastlands, scored the first and second goals before Tijjani Reijnders made it 3-0 before half-time.
Newcastle improved in the second-half and pulled one back through Anthony Elanga’s brilliant solo strike.
Eddie Howe made three changes from Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Liverpool as Aaron Ramsdale, Sven Botman and Nick Woltemade came in for Nick Pope, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes.
Howe spoke of the importance of getting the first goal on the night to give his team a chance of progressing.
But it was tie over after seven minutes when Marmoush, albeit in fortuitous fashion, gave Man City the lead. Dan Burn initially made the tackle but the ball rebounded off the Egyptian and over Ramsdale.
Newcastle almost immediately cancelled out Marmoush’s opener when Anthony Gordon found Joe Willock with only James Trafford to beat, however the goalkeeper managed to gather the ball after Willock tried - and failed - to take the ball around him.
Man City threatened to extend their advantage further but the next big chance again fell the Magpies’ way as Gordon was denied by Trafford from close-range.
And those missed chances came back to haunt Newcastle as Pep Guardiola’s side surged into a 3-0 lead before half-time. Marmoush scored his second after Kieran Trippier failed to clear his lines at the back post and Reijnders quickly added a third.
A miserable first-half was compounded by Gordon withdrawing with a hamstring injury. Barnes replaced him.
Howe made a triple change at half-time, introducing Elanga, Yoane Wissa and Jacob Murphy. Elanga went on to score his first goal since joining from Nottingham Forest for £55million in the summer as United put up a better fight in the second-half.
Here are our Newcastle United player ratings:
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1. Aaron Ramsdale - 6
Recalled ahead of Nick Pope for only his second appearance in 11 matches. Was always going to have a busy night but didn’t exactly cover himself in glory in the first-half. Excellent save to deny Erling Haaland late on. | AFP via Getty Images
2. Kieran Trippier - 4
Played Omar Marmoush onside and inadvertently set him up for his second goal with a weak clearance. Part of a backline that had a rough first-half. | Getty Images
3. Malick Thiaw - 5
Hasn’t looked convincing of late and tonight was no different against Man City’s pace. Poor with the ball too. | AFP via Getty Images
4. Sven Botman - 5
Missed the last match against Liverpool and looked like a player trying to refind his rhythm. | Getty Images