Newcastle Stun Manchester City in EFL and Carabao Cup Upsets
In a stunning double-header of cup action, Newcastle United pulled off two remarkable victories, first eliminating Manchester City from the EFL Cup with a 1-0 triumph and then securing a showdown against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
EFL Cup Drama
The night began with the EFL Cup clash at St James’ Park, where Swedish forward Alexander Isak emerged as the hero. In a match characterized by two contrasting halves, Manchester City dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes but failed to capitalize on their chances. It was Newcastle who demonstrated resilience in the face of relentless pressure, with goalkeeper Nick Pope proving to be a formidable last line of defense.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 53rd minute when Isak, lurking at the back post, converted a low cross from Joelinton. Despite City boasting 68% of possession, Newcastle’s compact defense and newfound attacking prowess secured their passage to the next round.
Speaking about the match, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged the team’s transformation, saying, “It was a game of two halves for us. In the second half, we were excellent in most aspects, defensively and offensively, attacking really well and probably deserved to win in the end.”
For Manchester City, it marked the third consecutive year of early exit from the competition, a stark contrast to their four consecutive wins from 2018 to 2021.
Carabao Cup Surprise
The drama didn’t stop there, as Newcastle’s fairytale night continued in the Carabao Cup. Isak, once again the protagonist, scored the solitary goal against Manchester City. This time, Joelinton’s dribbling run past multiple City defenders set up Isak’s clinical finish at the far post.
Despite the introduction of star players Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku in the second half, City couldn’t find an equalizer, with Erling Haaland remaining an unused substitute.
Eddie Howe, reflecting on the night’s events, emphasized the team’s resilience in both contests. He remarked, “In the second half, we were excellent in most aspects, defensively and offensively, we attacked really well and probably deserved to win in the end.”
This remarkable double upset sets the stage for an exciting fourth-round clash between Newcastle United and Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, promising another thrilling chapter in this season’s cup competitions.