What Bruno Guimaraes was spotted doing after Newcastle United's FA Cup exit & Lewis Hall 'rarity'

An FA Cup exit was expected - and that's what holders Manchester City delivered Newcastle United's way. Sixth round and out for the Magpies.

A couple of Alexander Isak openings aside, this wasn't the most of taxing encounters for the hosts, who cruised, in the main, to a comfortable 2-0 win. Two deflected efforts from Bernardo Silva sealed progression.

Here's the main talking points from the Etihad encounter.

Five experiment - did it work?

Well, it feels like maybe, looking only at the goals and the result it didn't - but I'd make a case to say it largely, did what it was meant to do.

Bar the two deflected goals, Newcastle did a reasonable job of keeping Man City's potent attack quiet. That was the case for much of the 90 minutes, in fairness.

So in many ways, it's difficult to complain too much about the switch in system. Newcastle lost a little of potency themselves but did their job defensively as a unit. It was individual errors and fine margins that proved costly when it came to the goals.

Joe Willock will not want to see the first back - his meek attempt at closing down left a gaping hole in an otherwise solid unit, then Botman's muscle memory, flicking a half attempt at a headed clearance, wrong-footed Martin Dubravka for the second.

Howe must make international break count

Newcastle head off to Dubai this weekend and work needs to be done, make no mistake about it.

This was an improved show, and lacked the real openness of Stamford Bridge, but showed little cutting edge.

Eddie Howe needs to stop the goals and his team need to score more. Football is a simple game in many ways, but the complexities of it must be ironed out on the warm weather training pitches of the Middle East.

Young trio assessed - a spark of light for Hall

It's been a real rarity - and Eddie Howe will 100% have his reasons - but Lewis Hall was given a run off the bench.

And, more than ever before, he impacted the game positively. It was a far cry from being hauled off at half-time, as has happened all too often this campaign for the player.

He looked to get on the ball, made countless overlapping runs - even thought he was rarely found.

Lewis Miley, similarly, looked bright off the bench. Elliot Anderson, at this stage, looks to be trying too hard when he gets on.

Bruno frustrations?

Newcastle's main man, after a week of muted links to the Etihad, cut a frustrated figure at the end. He held himself away from his teammates, only joining the fan clap late and failing to really engage with any of the opposition or anyone, in fact, after the game, bar a jovial word or two with Oscar Bobb.

It's easy to see why the player was frustrated and more so than his teammates. He played that midfield, mostly, on his own. Willock was no support and Longstaff faded terribly after half-time. He needs support, he needs quality around him. He is the jewel in the crown and must be protected at all costs.

Eye-opener elsewhere - Newcastle looking over their shoulders

With the cups out the window - all three of them - Newcastle have to focus on the league. And that's probably the biggest battle of their campaign to date.

It looked like a mini-league was forming, with Manchester United at the head of it and Chelsea, Brighton, the Magpies and Wolves in the mix. Now it looks like others are joining the party for the race (I say that lightly) to 6th, 7th and 8th.

Fulham's win brings that into sharp focus, and the Cottagers right into the battle.