Manchester City travelled North to face Newcastle at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup third round. With a makeshift side, we saw the likes of Bobb and Phillips making their first starts this season.
The first half was dominated by the Blues. Despite only few chances created, there were some positives to take away.
Phillips got some well needed game time and did okay. Oscar Bobb was involved in everything creative for City. He illustrated that he is more than capable of playing with the big boys.
With 73% possession, it was still Newcastle with the best chance of the game towards the end of the half.
Eddie Howe introduced Gordon and Guimaraes for the second half and this instantly put a spring in their step and they looked the most dangerous side.
It took them only 7 minutes to open the scoring and take the lead through Isak. City were a different side in the second half. Southampton all over again.
The Newcastle fans appeared to turn up only when they were on top.
Nunes and Doku replaced Kovacic and Ake during the 68th minute in a backline rejig. Then it was not long until Alvarez made way for Foden.
The Blues failed to create any significant chances in the second half. There were a couple of half-chances, neither of which resulted in shots. Although there was a shot late on from Lewis which was arguably the best chance for City in the whole game.
FULL-TIME | Our @Carabao_Cup campaign comes to an end.
⚫ 1-0 🔵 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/PnRtglx2Vy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 27, 2023
A positive to take away from the second half is that Doku was on fire. His energy, burst of pace and skill was problem for the Newcastle defence.
The game finished 1-0 to the home side. Manchester City crashed out of the Carabao Cup following a poor second half.
