Manchester City struck three times in the first half as they eased into the Carabao Cup final by completing a comfortable 5-1 aggregate win over Newcastle.
Man City cruise past Magpies into Carabao Cup final
Omar Marmoush netted twice in the opening half hour of the second leg of their semi-final at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday and Tijjani Reijnders added to the tally.
Anthony Elanga pulled one back as City – continuing a worrying recent trend for manager Pep Guardiola – eased off in the second period but their 3-1 success on the night was more than good enough.
City’s victory sent them through to a Wembley date against Premier League leaders Arsenal and comprehensively ended Newcastle’s trophy defence.
To make matters worse for Magpies boss Eddie Howe, forward Anthony Gordon limped off injured before the break.
“It looks like a hamstring problem. I don’t quite know how bad it is. It was enough for him to come off, so that’s a big worry.”
Newcastle fans were disappointed by the lack of transfer activity in January, something Howe admitted is a “risk” given their injury problems.
Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes – all regular starters when fit – missed Wednesday’s action, while Lewis Miley is the latest addition to the treatment room with a short-term problem.
Agbonlahor rips into Newcastle star
Speaking on TalkSPORT on Thursday morning, former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor said Howe has a “big problem” with summer signing Nick Woltemade.
|
Where does Woltemade rank in Newcastle’s top earners? |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
Wage per week |
Wage per year |
|
1 |
Bruno Guimaraes |
£160,000 |
£8,320,000 |
|
=2 |
Anthony Gordon |
£150,000 |
£7,800,000 |
|
=2 |
Joelinton |
£150,000 |
£7,800,000 |
|
4 |
Yoane Wissa |
£140,000 |
£7,280,000 |
|
5 |
Nick Woltemade |
£132,500 |
£6,890,000 |
|
=6 |
Sandro Tonali |
£120,000 |
£6,240,000 |
|
=6 |
Aaron Ramsdale |
£120,000 |
£6,240,000 |
|
=6 |
Kieran Trippier |
£120,000 |
£6,240,000 |
“Some problems for Eddie Howe, some real big problems,” the ex-Aston Villa man said. “Going forward I thought Woltemade might as well have been sat here with me and you.
“Doesn’t offer anything for me, I think that’s going to be one of the signings that maybe Newcastle regret.
“It isn’t working out with him, doesn’t really hold the ball up, too slow to get up the pitch and get in behind, not very good in the air as well. When (Yoane) Wissa came on at half-time they were a lot better.”
In truth, Agbonlahor’s comments feel a little harsh – Woltemade was far from Newcastle’s worst performer on Wednesday evening.
Howe must drop Newcastle star who was as bad as Woltemade vs Man City
Newcastle United crashed out of the Carabao Cup against Manchester City last night.
The towering German has scored nine goals in his debut season in England and often had little service from the wide areas, or as was the case on Thursday none whatsoever.
With Wissa now fit to play a supporting role, it seems only a matter of time before Woltemade is back to his best.
