The dream of a trophy-laden season took a massive hit last night as Newcastle United were unceremoniously dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Manchester City. For many fans, the hope of a historic turnaround was extinguished before it ever really began.
Entering the second leg at the Etihad with a two-goal deficit was always going to be a monumental task, but the reality of the situation became painfully clear long before the final whistle. By the time the halftime break arrived, Pep Guardiola’s side had already surged into a three-goal lead on the night, effectively turning the rest of the match into a formality.
While Anthony Elanga managed to claw back a goal from the bench, it was a classic case of too little, too late. A 5-1 aggregate scoreline rarely lies, and in this instance, it highlighted a significant gulf in class and execution. In the wake of such a heavy defeat, the scrutiny naturally falls on the individuals who failed to rise to the occasion.
Manager Eddie Howe now faces some incredibly tough decisions regarding his team selection for the upcoming Premier League fixtures. If the Magpies are to regain their footing, certain underperforming stars may need to be sacrificed for the greater good of the squad.
One of the most obvious points of frustration was the performance of Nick Woltemade. Having been handed a starting role after a spell on the bench, the 23-year-old striker had a golden opportunity to prove he belongs in the upper echelons of English football. Unfortunately, his impact or lack thereof was staggering.
During his 45 minutes on the pitch, he looked like a spectator in a game that was moving far too quickly for him. Woltemade finished his shift with a mere 11 touches and zero shots on goal. He failed to win a single duel on the ground or in the air, and perhaps most tellingly, he didn’t manage a single touch inside the Manchester City penalty area. Now on a drought of 12 games without a goal, it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify his place in the starting lineup.
However, Woltemade was far from the only culprit. While the young striker struggled to find his feet, an experienced veteran was having an equally difficult time on the opposite end of the pitch. Kieran Trippier, once the undisputed leader and heartbeat of this Newcastle side, looked every bit his 35 years of age last night.
Howe’s tactical decision to play with a back five and push Trippier into a more advanced wing-back role was clearly intended to utilize his crossing ability, but the plan backfired spectacularly.
In this advanced role, Trippier was frequently caught in no-man’s land. His lack of recovery pace was ruthlessly exposed by the energetic Rayan Ait-Nouri, who seemed to breeze past the veteran defender at will. When Trippier did manage to get forward into crossing positions, his delivery usually his greatest weapon was uncharacteristically poor.
He completed only half of his attempted crosses and lost possession 15 times over the course of the evening. For a player whose value is tied so closely to his precision and ball retention, these numbers are a major cause for concern.
| Kieran Trippier Stats vs. Man City | Tally |
| Minutes Played | 76 |
| Touches | 67 |
| Pass Accuracy | 73% |
| Cross Completion | 50% |
| Possession Lost | 15 |
| Dribbled Past | 2 |
Defensively, the story was just as grim. Trippier was dribbled past twice and won none of his aerial battles, looking increasingly “leggy” as the City attackers rotated around him. The match ratings from local journalists reflected this struggle, with many handing him a measly 4/10.
It is a harsh reality to face, but Trippier’s performance suggested that he may no longer possess the physical tools required to handle the high-octane environment that Eddie Howe demands. As the club looks toward a future defined by 2030 ambitions and global competitiveness, sentimentality must take a backseat to performance.
The midfield battle didn’t offer much relief either. Jacob Ramsey, operating in a deeper role alongside Sandro Tonali, struggled to exert any influence on the game. He recorded the fewest touches of any player who stayed on for the full 90 minutes, often appearing lost as City’s midfield carousel whirred around him.
When he did engage, he won less than half of his duels and committed several fouls out of frustration. It was a night where Howe’s tactical gambles simply failed to pay off, leaving the team looking disjointed and overmatched.
Newcastle United is at a crossroads. The heavy investment from the hierarchy comes with an expectation of progress, and crashing out of a major cup in such a one-sided fashion feels like a step backward. If Howe is to salvage the season and keep his players motivated, he must be brutal in his assessment of the Etihad disaster.
Moving on from a club legend like Trippier is a difficult prospect, but if the standard is no longer being met, the manager has no choice but to look toward younger, more dynamic options.
The road ahead is challenging, and the margin for error has disappeared. The fans are loyal, but they are also hungry for success, and they deserve a team that can compete with the best for the full duration of a match.
Dropping the stars who failed to show up against City isn’t just a tactical move; it’s a necessary statement that mediocrity will not be tolerated at St James’ Park.
