Newcastle United missed out on a Wembley return after losing 2-0 to Manchester City at the FA Cup quarter-final stage as Bernardo Silva scored a brace via two deflected efforts.
Eddie Howe named two changes from the 3-2 defeat at Chelsea on Monday and switched up the formation, fielding a back five of Jacob Murphy, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman and Dan Burn. Murphy came in for the injured Tino Livramento at right-wing back and Lascelles replaced Miguel Almiron.
Newcastle's defensive shape was breached in fortuitous fashion just 13 minutes in when Bernardo Silva's shot deflected off Dan Burn and looped over Martin Dubravka. And it was pretty much de ja vu on the half-hour mark when Silva cut inside again and his effort went in via Botman.
Howe introduced the likes of Miguel Almiron and Lewis Hall on the hour-mark and while United had their moments from then on, they lacked quality and City cruised to a victory. Newcastle have failed to reach the FA Cup semi-finals since 2005 and they haven't won at the Etihad Stadium in 10 years.
Our writer Jordan Cronin was at the Etihad Stadium - and here are his Newcastle United player ratings:
1. Martin Dubravka - 6
Could do very little about the goalshe conceded after deflections off both Burn and Botman. Produced two decent saves to deny Jeremy Doku.
2. Jacob Murphy - 7
A solid display down the right. Showed strength to prevent Jeremy Doku from going through on goal and got forward to deliver a couple of decent crosses into the box.
3. Fabian Schar - 6.5
Had some composed moments on the ball. Battled well with Erling Haaland and stuck to his defensive shape well.
4. Jamaal Lascelles - 5.5
Looked right up for it with a crunching tackle early doors, and while he did well in the main, two mistakes almost let Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland in.