Newcastle have it all to do if they are to keep hopes of retaining the Carabao Cup alive
10:00, 14 Jan 2026Updated 10:10, 14 Jan 2026
Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United reacts to a missed chance(Image: Getty Images)
Yoane Wissa’s early miss against Manchester City cost Newcastle United dear in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at St James’ Park.
Head coach Eddie Howe felt that the moment could have changed the atmosphere around the stadium on a night when fatigue was evident on the pitch. The clash with Pep Guardiola’s side came just days after the gruelling 120 minutes had been played out against AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup, and it quite clearly affected team selection for Howe.
As Howe started to digest the 2-0 loss, with the tie made extra difficult after Rayan Cherki’s stoppage time strike at the Leazes End, the Toon manager harked back to Wissa’s miss that could have changed the narrative of the tie.
When asked if that moment changes things, Howe said: “Yes, it does because Yoane has that early chance in the game, which probably changes the whole mood and atmosphere of the stadium in that moment.
“I thought there were several half-chances for us in that first half – I thought Jacob Murphy was a real threat on the right-hand side and we were giving them issues and problems down that side of the pitch.
“And then of course, James Trafford makes a great save from Yoane again, and then Bruno hits the post . . . that’s any game of football though. The swings of the game are so delicately poised all the time.”
Jacob Murphy mystery haunts Newcastle
The winger was back in the team after a hamstring injury, and in fairness, he put in a good number of crosses before disaster struck in the first half, and he was replaced just before the break.
Howe was asked if the winger’s withdrawal was serious and if it would force an unexpected move in the transfer market. Newcastle also discovered that Tino Livramento would be out for eight weeks yesterday, after the results of his scan came through just days after limping off against the Cherries.
Howe said: “We don’t think Jacob’s injury is serious, but of course we’re waiting to see the full extent of it. He’s had a hamstring problem for a couple of weeks, but he’s had two scans that have come back clear so we’re not too sure what’s going on with him. Tino is information where we only got confirmation this morning, so we need to digest that and see what we do.”
The bookies aren’t usually wrong
Whatever the odds are of a dramatic comeback at the Etihad Stadium next month, the bookmakers have pretty much written off Newcastle as potential winners of the Carabao Cup in 2026.
City’s win last night installed them as favourites at 10/11 with a host of bookies, while Newcastle drifted out as far as 33/1 to reclaim the trophy they won last year.