The Magpies went down 3-1 to Man City as their FA Cup dream faded away despite showing positive signs to begin with
22:05, 07 Mar 2026Updated 00:32, 08 Mar 2026
Sven Botman and Newcastle players look dejected after defeat against Man City
Newcastle United looked disjointed at St James’ Park as their FA Cup run came to an end at the hands of quadruple chasers Man City.
Although, the way the Magpies started the game suggested that this could be a famous night for Eddie Howe’s men. But after Harvey Barnes had fired Newcastle ahead, Pep Guardiola shook up his players and injected some energy into the game – even if it took the ex-Barcelona boss to throw his jacket to the ground in disgust over some decisions he felt weren’t going his way.
At the end, all Eddie Howe was able to mouth at Guardiola was: “Well done Pep”. It was a night in which Newcastle did all the right things to begin with to set the tone, but even then City’s much-changed line-up wised up and moved the chess pieces around the pitch.
It left Newcastle looking tactically bamboozled and at one stage the Magpies had centre-back Dan Burn operating at left-back, Lewis Hall playing at right-back and Harvey Barnes used on the right-wing to accommodate Anthony Gordon on the left.
A tough last 16 encounter with Barcelona now lies in wait next week, but the reality is the season is in danger of slipping away. A bottom half finish and no domestic silverware is in danger of becoming a reality.
In a pulsating opening five minutes, Newcastle tested Man City with Hall’s long throw into the box and Sandro Tonali’s cushioned cross, but the visitors cleared their lines. Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders skipped into the final third on three minutes but sent a good chance wide of the target.
On nine minutes Anthony Elanga tried his luck from the right-hand side but his effort went straight into the arms of James Trafford. A minute later William Osula caused havoc oin the box before Harvey Barnes’ effort was deflected wide by John Stones.
After a Trafford fumble from another Osula effort on 11 minutes, Nick Woltemade, playing in midfield, headed at goal, but Nico Gonzalez headed to safety. The Toon pressure paid off with 18 minutes on the clock when Tonali’s sumptuous pass down the left picked out Harvey Barnes.
With Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands, Barnes took the sting out of the ball with his left-foot before curving it right-footed into the bottom corner past Trafford to raise the roof at St James’ Park. Both Tonali and Barnes again fired over shots either side of the mid-way point in the first half, but City looked unconvincing.
Elanga gave the ball to Savinho on 28 minutes with the City star sprinting into the Newcastle half and aiming a powerful shot at goal, but Aaron Ramsdale made a fine stop.
Just as Newcastle were trying to maintain a foothold in the game, City hit back after Jérémy Doku cut the ball across the face of goal and Savinho, almost caught by surprise after a mix-up on the line between Lewis Hall and Ramsdale, tapped home with the Newcastle keeper’s efforts to scoop it clear not enough.
The two teams went in level at the break, but there were tensions in the dugout as Kolo Toure was booked for an exchange with Newcastle sub Joelinton.
City picked up where they left off in the first half and were ahead inside two second half minutes. Matheus Nunes’ cross from the right found its way to Omar Marmoush who was left unmarked but also allowed to take a touch before lashing home from close range to make it 2-1.
The Magpies looked for a route back into the tie, and on 51 minutes, Woltemade powered a right-footed shot at goal with Trafford needing firm hands to gather it at the Gallowgate End. A Tonali free-kick dropped for Joe Willock on 55 minutes, but he belted it high into the crowd.
It took a brave clearance from Hall on the line to deny Reijnders, who came close for the visitors. Suddenly, from a point of looking dangerous, this was a total retreat from Howe’s men.
Howe made his first changes of the night just after the hour mark as Joelinton, Yoane Wissa and Dan Burn were sent on to salvage things. But City would turn the screw further on 65 minutes as Marmoush helped himself to a second of the night.
Nunes burst forward and laid the ball off to Marmoush, who sent an unstoppable effort past Ramsdale to put Man City firmly in control. That was the cue for Howe to turn to Anthony Gordon with 18 minutes left.
However, Man City flexed their muscle in the final stages when Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden were sent on to bolster Guardiola’s attack. If the Citizens had started the game on the back foot, they finished it in full control.
As the shots rained in it felt more like a training session for City as they clocked up more than 20 goal attempts and many home fans voted with their feet and left early.
Referee: Sam Barrott (Yorkshire)