Newcastle United vs Manchester City. Carabao Cup Round 3.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance51,692.
Match report and free match highlights as Isak hits the winner for last season's Carabao Cup finalists against Man City; Pep Guardiola's side had dominated first half but Magpies stepped up a level after the break to book their place in the fourth round
Thursday 28 September 2023 12:02, UK
Newcastle produced a transformed second-half performance to knock Manchester City out of the Carabao Cup, with Aleksander Isak's strike sending last season's finalists into the fourth round, where they will face Manchester United.
The home side were almost entirely on the back foot during the first 45 minutes at St James' Park, with City dominating possession and territory and only denied an opener when Nick Pope's outstretched foot blocked Julian Alvarez's shot.
But Newcastle took encouragement from a late chance for Jacob Murphy in that half and, with extra attacking emphasis coming from a double change at the break, they came out flying in the second period, with Isak striking eight minutes after the restart.
Man City had looked a class apart when these sides met in the Premier League in August but with both teams making substantial changes City failed to recapture their early authority.
A Jack Grealish shot from distance was about as threatening as they got before the excellent Tino Livramento - on his first start - made a fine tackle on Matheus Nunes in the box late on and Rico Lewis fizzed a low drive narrowly wide.
The result means that, for a third season in a row, Pep Guardiola's side have crashed out early from a cup competition they once considered their own when they won four editions straight between 2018-2021. This was their first defeat of the season.
As for Newcastle - tasting victory against Man City for the first time in 11 meetings - they can dream of Wembley again, although they'll need to beat their conquerors in last year's final, Man Utd, to go one better this year. That tie will be played in the week of October 30.
Storm Agnes was closing in on St James' Park ahead of kick-off but it was a calm start on the pitch with 18 minutes passing before the first shot was made, with Alvarez seeing his shot from a tight angle kicked away by Pope after Oscar Bobb's pass through.
Alvarez was off target 10 minutes later from an even tighter angle as Man City looked to turn their almost-complete dominance of the ball into a breakthrough. They were up around 70 per cent possession and just after the half hour the scoreline for successful passes in the opposition's final third was 1-81 in favour of the visitors.
Those stats would have counted for little, though, had Murphy been more clinical just before the break. Isak played him in but Stefan Ortega stuck out a leg to make the crucial save. It was Newcastle's first touch in the City box for half an hour but a big opportunity.
Eddie Howe tried to change his team's mindset at the break, sending on Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes - and those changes and whatever was said at half-time had an instant impact. From the first whistle of the second half Newcastle showed far greater intent.
Sandro Tonali's shot was blocked, the Newcastle fans roared their side forward and even Guardiola applauded a forceful challenge from Gordon.
The City boss was less impressed when Isak poked the hosts in front, though, capitalising on good play from Murphy and Joelinton, who had driven Newcastle forwards. The momentum of the match was completely transformed.
Further chances followed for Isak and almost for Joelinton, who couldn't quite reach a header.
A knock to Isak forced him off and will be a concern with Paris St-Germain coming to this stadium next week for that mouth-watering Champions League date. But Newcastle coped admirably without him in the latter stages of this tie. A Grealish shot was easy for Pope, Livramento timed his tackle on Nunes perfectly and Lewis' drive fizzed wide.
A yellow card shown to Guardiola underlined the frustration of the City boss and his players. This was just the fourth Carabao Cup match defeat he's suffered since coming to England from 31 ties. It is a match he'll want to forget but one that will live long in the memory for Howe, who secured a first-ever win against a Guardiola side.
Howe and the Newcastle fans will be hoping it could be the start of another special cup run.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to Sky Sports: "It was a game of two halves for us. The first half was tough. Man City played well, we didn't play particularly well but defended well. Then second half we were excellent in most aspects and probably deserved to win in the end.
"There were a few tactical changes but the biggest change was in terms of the belief. Changing the dynamic of the team, a better balance in the second half. Anthony and Bruno made a real difference. With the ball we were a different team totally.
"The run last year was an inspiration to us. Something we look back on with real pride. We want to go one further if we can, although there's a long way to go. We're still there fighting.
"The defence was a concern for us a few games ago where we'd dipped in our level but our concentration was there today, our stability was there. I have to credit the back four."
Man City boss Pep Guardiola to Sky Sports: "We played an incredible game. Really good in the first [half], in the second they were more aggressive, they scored but we were there all the game. Comparing last season when we were out to Southampton we were not there and today we were. Congratulations to Newcastle.
"It was a tight game and the players we played were really good. One mistake and we were done, the only chance they had. But the way we played in the first half was amazing."
Newcastle host Burnley at 3pm on Saturday before meeting Paris St-Germain at St James' Park on Wednesday in an 8pm kick-off.
Man City are away to Wolves at 3pm on Saturday before going to RB Leipzig in the Champions League next Wednesday in an 8pm kick-off.
