Newcastle 1-0 Manchester City: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Magpies Collect A Heavyweight EFL Cup at St. James’ Park?

In what was a heavyweight showdown from St. James’ Park on Wednesday night, Newcastle extended on their EFL Cup win as they claimed a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at St. James’ Park.

With their sights firmly set on mounting another cup charge this time around, Eddie Howe’s side had to put in a resilient first-half performance here as they struggled to create anything in the final third.

However, enjoying what has been a fairytale rise under the ex-Bournemouth boss, the Magpies eventually punched their fourth-round ticket as attacking talisman Alexander Isak tapped home at the back post just eight minutes after returning from the half-time interval.

While the reigning Premier League champions might have made a string of chances on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola’s squad would have been disappointed after suffering their first defeat since opening up the 2023/24 campaign.

Electing to hand the record-breaking Erling Haaland a full rest in the north east, City also saw their dreams of completing a quadruple go up in smoke here.

On a night when Newcastle collected a heavyweight EFL Cup scalp, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Wednesday’s showdown at St. James’ Park.

Isak is becoming a superstar

While Isak might have only arrived in the north east last summer following his £60million move from Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, the Swedish international has certainly made an immediate impact in the Premier League.

Although the 24-year-old might have often been rotated with skipper Callum Wilson this season, Isak has continued to gain a host of top-flight plaudits and has played a crucial role in Newcastle’s fairytale story.

Bagging the winner here and sending the home support into overdrive after popping up at the back stick just eight minutes after the half-time break, Isak has quickly cemented his spot as one of the Premier League’s most clinical marksmen.

Getting in on the act last weekend as Newcastle stormed their way to a remarkable 8-0 romp away at top-flight returners Sheffield United, Isak has now bagged four strikes in his previous six appearances against Premier League opposition.

Opening the new campaign with a brace against Aston Villa on August 12th as the Magpies landed a 5-1 win, it is no surprise why many of Europe’s elite are keeping tabs on Isak’s situation in the north east.

Despite limping off during the second-half and many around St. James’ Park cutting a concerned figure, Isak and Newcastle have confirmed that the 42-cap international has not sustained any kind of long-term issue.

Manchester City have bigger fish to fry

While Manchester City might have been keen on extending on their EFL Cup adventure here, Guardiola’s side won’t feel to downbeat about their somewhat shock exit here.

Making real history last season as they became the first English club since 1999 to be crowned treble champions, the former Barcelona boss has only seen his squad cement their spot as the greatest club side from across Europe’s elite.

Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign and winning each of their opening six Premier League showdowns, the Sky Blues are also the only top-flight club that can boast a 100% start to proceedings.

Likewise, getting their Champions League adventure underway with a 3-1 victory against Red Star Belgrade earlier in the month, Guardiola’s side would have been hoping to keep up their remarkable momentum here.

Dominating large spells of the first-half and hardly having to get out of second gear, many of City’s fringe stars will know that they failed to take their chance at St. James’ Park.

With the likes of England international Kalvin Phillips handed an incredibly rare chance to shine, some in City’s camp will know that Wednesday’s 1-0 loss was a chance missed.

A repeat of last season’s final on the cards

Collecting what was a heavyweight scalp on Wednesday night after sending Manchester City packing, Newcastle will now know that they have another heavyweight challenge on their hands.

Gaining a string of plaudits last season as they reached the EFL Cup final before slumping to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United back on February 26th, Howe’s high-flying squad are desperate to go one step further this time around.

Eventually missing out on the chance to get their hands on a first piece of domestic silverware in almost six decades, the former Bournemouth boss will be desperate for his side to claim some revenge next month.

Now tipped as one of the leading EFL Cup contenders following Wednesday’s shock victory in the north east, Howe’s side will travel to the red half of Manchester on October 31st for their fourth-round showdown.

Although the Magpies might have to go about things the hard way during this season’s EFL Cup run, Newcastle should be relishing a trip to Old Trafford and the chance to lay down another stellar marker.

Match Report

Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Lascelles, Dummett, Targett, Miley, Tonali, Joelinton, Hall, Isak, Murphy

Subs: Schar, Gordon, Almiron, Anderson, Guimaraes

Manchester City: Ortega, Akanji, Gvardiol, Ake, Phillips, Lewis, Gomez, Bobb, Kovacic, Grealish, Alvarez

Subs: Doku, Nunes, Foden

Goals: Isak (53’)

Yellow Cards: Newcastle: Tonali, Guimaraes – Manchester City: Phillips, Akanji

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Chris Kavanagh