Newcastle United find themselves in a difficult position as they prepare for a trip to the Etihad Stadium in two weeks. After losing the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final to Manchester City at St. James’ Park, the Magpies have a mountain to climb.
The atmosphere heading into the match was one of genuine optimism, especially following a string of three straight Premier League victories and a gritty penalty shootout win against Bournemouth in the FA Cup. Fans felt the team was hitting its stride at just the right moment, but the reality of top-tier football hit hard, leaving Eddie Howe’s squad with a massive task if they hope to retain their silverware.
The match itself was a classic example of how thin the margins are at this level. Newcastle did not play poorly; in fact, there were long periods where they looked like the more threatening side.
They managed to create four “big chances” compared to Manchester City’s two. On another night, with a bit more composure in front of the goal, the narrative today would be very different.
However, football rewards clinical finishing, and while Newcastle hesitated, City pounced. The late goal from Rayan Cherki was particularly painful for the home crowd, as it doubled the deficit and made the second leg feel far more daunting.
While the result was disappointing, there were individual performances that offered a silver lining. Lewis Hall, in particular, was exceptional at left-back. He had the difficult task of containing City’s high-profile signing, Antoine Semenyo, and he did so with remarkable tenacity.
Winning twelve duels and constantly looking to spark play from the back, Hall proved he belongs in these high-stakes matches. Unfortunately, the night also brought injury concerns, as Jacob Murphy was forced off before the break. While Anthony Elanga looked sharp as a replacement, the loss of Murphy adds another headache to an already busy schedule.
The biggest concern for Eddie Howe, however, lies in the center of his attack. If Newcastle are to overturn a two-goal lead against the best team in the world, they need their forwards to be ruthless. During this first leg, Yoane Wissa was anything but that.
The DR Congo international arrived in the summer with a heavy price tag of £55 million, but his time on Tyneside has been plagued by injury and a lack of rhythm. In this crucial semi-final, he was given the nod to lead the line, but the opportunity seemed to pass him by entirely.
Wissa’s statistics from the match paint a picture of a player struggling to find his place in the system. Despite playing nearly 70 minutes, he was virtually invisible for long stretches of the game.
He finished the night with only eleven touches a staggering statistic when you consider that Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Nick Pope, was involved in the play thirty-two times. While a striker isn’t always judged on how much they touch the ball, they are judged on what they do when they have it.
Wissa missed two major opportunities to put Newcastle on the scoresheet, and his lack of defensive work rate was also noted by those watching closely.
| Yoane Wissa Performance vs Manchester City | Match Statistics |
| Minutes Played | 69 |
| Goals & Assists | 0 |
| Total Touches | 11 |
| Shots (On Target) | 3 (1) |
| Big Chances Missed | 2 |
| Accurate Passes | 3/5 (60%) |
| Chances Created | 0 |
| Duels Won | 1/3 |
The frustration with Wissa’s performance was shared by local media, with some outlets handing him a lowly 4/10 rating. There was a specific moment involving a failure to close down Bernardo Silva in a dangerous area that left many questioning his current sharpness and focus.
It is clear that the striker has yet to fully acclimate to his new surroundings or recapture the lethal form he showed during his time in London. With only two goals in eleven appearances since his move, the pressure is mounting.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Newcastle travels to face Wolves in the Premier League. This is a game they are expected to win, and it serves as the perfect chance to build momentum before the return leg in Manchester.
Given Wissa’s recent struggles, Eddie Howe faces a tough selection dilemma. Nick Woltemade, who replaced Wissa in the second half, didn’t have a perfect outing either, but many feel his physical presence and dynamic movement offer a more resourceful option for the team right now.
To keep their dreams of a third final in four seasons alive, Newcastle must be brave. The era they are currently in has been defined by overcoming obstacles and breaking old records.
Winning at the Etihad for the first time in a decade will require every player on the pitch to be at their absolute best. For Yoane Wissa, a spell on the bench might be exactly what is needed to reset and find the spark that convinced the club to break the bank for him last summer.
