The dream of seeing Newcastle United lift back-to-back Carabao Cup trophies took a significant hit recently, leaving many fans at St. James’ Park feeling a heavy sense of disappointment. After a tough first-leg battle in the semi-finals against Manchester City, the Magpies find themselves trailing by two goals.
It was a night where things just didn’t go Newcastle’s way, as nyy⁷goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki ensured that the visitors would head back to the Etihad Stadium with a comfortable cushion. In the world of football, a two-goal deficit is never impossible to overcome, but when the second leg requires a trip to a stadium where Newcastle historically struggles to even find the back of the net, the mountain looks incredibly steep.
Despite the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the result, team captain Bruno Guimaraes is refusing to let the flame of hope go out. Taking to social media shortly after the final whistle, the midfielder shared a thought-provoking message with the supporters.
He admitted that the loss was “hard to accept,” but he quickly pivoted to a more defiant tone. Guimaraes reminded everyone that this specific group of players has a track record of beating the odds and doing the impossible.
His message was clear: while the fans might be feeling the sting of the 2-0 loss, the dressing room still believes they can turn the tide next month. He urged his teammates to rest and prepare, noting that they have no time to dwell on the loss with more Premier League action right around the corner this Sunday.
Manager Eddie Howe shared a similar sentiment of frustration but also offered a bit more tactical insight into why the game slipped away. Speaking after the match, Howe expressed that the 2-0 scoreline felt somewhat harsh given the effort his players put in.
He felt that if Newcastle had been clinical enough to grab the opening goal, the entire complexion of the tie would have changed. Instead, they found themselves chasing the game. Howe was particularly annoyed by the second goal conceded late in the match, noting that a 1-0 deficit would have felt like a completely different situation heading into the return leg. Defending better in those final moments is something he highlighted as a key area for improvement.
The match was not without its fair share of controversy, particularly regarding the opening goal. Howe pointed out a frustrating moment where his team was reduced to ten men temporarily because Jacob Ramsey was off the pitch receiving treatment for a head injury. It was during this window of imbalance that Manchester City managed to break the deadlock. For Howe, being “punished” because a player suffered an elbow to the head felt inherently unfair, and it clearly disrupted the defensive structure he had worked so hard to maintain against such a high-caliber opponent.
Beyond the tactical errors and the bad luck with injuries, the physical toll of a busy schedule seemed to be the silent enemy on the pitch. Newcastle had recently come off a high-intensity weekend fixture, and the quick turnaround to face a team like Manchester City is a daunting task for any squad. Howe admitted that “fatigue played a part” throughout the evening.
He explained that playing against City is perhaps the worst possible scenario when your players are tired, simply because of how well the opposition keeps possession. When you are tired, you want to see more of the ball, but instead, you are forced to chase it for ninety minutes, which only drains the energy reserves further.
The road to Wembley now leads through a very difficult second leg. The winner of this tie will face either Arsenal or Chelsea in the final, and for Newcastle to be that team, they will need a performance for the ages.
While the statistics and history books might favor Manchester City, the words of Bruno Guimaraes serve as a reminder that football isn’t played on paper. The captain’s belief in “this team” suggests that the Magpies aren’t going to Manchester just to make up the numbers; they are going there to fight for their place in the final.
Would you like me to create a breakdown of Newcastle’s historical record at the Etihad Stadium to see exactly what kind of “impossible” task they are facing?
