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:
9. Joe Willock - 5
Didn’t drop in and left space for both of City’s first-half goals. Struggled to grasp what was asked of him defensively. Disappointing. | Getty Images
10. Anthony Gordon - 5.5
Tried to get involved but to little avail. Can’t fault his effort. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Alexander Isak - 5
Denied by Stefan Ortega from close range but the Swede should have perhaps done better. Got on the ball in some promising positions but was largely wasteful. | Getty Images
12. Miguel Almiron (on for Gordon, 62) - 5
Lively but poor decision-making cost Newcastle in some key positions, and you simply can’t do that against City. | Getty Images