Newcastle's tenuous grip on the three-handled Carabao Cup was well and truly prised off after just over half an hour at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, as Manchester City went 5-0 up on aggregate.

Three calamitous goals inside the first 32 minutes meant that the holders relinquished the trophy but it's no exaggeration to say that they should have found the net half a dozen times, rather just once as Anthony Elanga ended his personal and this stadium's goal droughts.

Joe Willock, Anthony Gordon, Sven Botman, Yoane Wissa (twice) and also Elanga failed to find the net with gilt-edged chances while Harvey Barnes also had a goal disallowed.

But any dreams of a famous turnaround evaporated inside the first seven minutes when Dan Burn was unlucky to see an excellent last ditch tackle rebound into the net off Omar Marmoush with Aaron Ramsdale stranded.

That put City three ahead on aggregate and it was four in the 29th minute when Marmoush was again fortunate to see Kieran Trippier's goalline clearance fall kindly for him to nod in on the goalline.

Pep Guardiola's side took just three minutes to get their third on the night when again Burn was slightly unfortunate to see his interception fall at the feet of Tijjani Reijnders who side-footed past Ramsdale.

Willock's miss came in the ninth minute when Gordon squared it to him but James Trafford smothered his attempt to find the net and Gordon then allowed Trafford to make another save in the 21st minute.

Gordon left the field a minute before half-time with what appeared to be a hamstring injury to be replaced by Barnes but a few minutes later Trafford saved again, this time tipping away a header from Botman that looked destined for the top corner.

Eddie Howe made more changes at the break with Wissa, Elanga and Jacob Murphy joining the action and inside the first minute Wissa scuffed an awful effort wide when through on goal.

Wissa was denied a penalty by referee Tony Harrington and VAR after robbing the ball in the box and then going down after a tug on his shirt with Reijnders shooting wide before the check.

But Elanga finally gave the away fans something to cheer in the 62nd minute with a fantastic solo effort, cutting in from the right and evading three challenges before curling a left-footed shot past Trafford and in off the post.

That was Elanga's first competitive goal for the club at the 32nd time of asking and it was Newcastle's first goal at the Etihad for 752 painfully barren minutes.

Barnes found the net five minutes later but Wissa had been offside in the build-up and then Elanga side-footed the ball wide when he seemed certain to get a second.

Elanga then pulled the ball across for Wissa who somehow failed to make contact a yard from goal while at the other end Ramsdale made two fine saves from substitute Erling Haaland.

Sandro Tonali fired a shot at the goalkeeper near the end but neither side could find the net again as the hosts had their place in the final against Arsenal confirmed after two minutes of added time.

But it was the goal scored by Rayan Cherki in added time at St. James' Park that decided this tie, with City never likely to have their two goal advantage from the first leg overturned.

Full match report to follow.

Team: Ramsdale, Trippier (Osula 76), Botman, Thiaw, Burn, Hall (J.Murphy 46), Tonali, Ramsey, Willock (Elanga 46), Gordon (Barnes 44), Woltemade (Wissa 46).
Subs n/u: Pope, A.Murphy, Neave, Shahar. 

Goal: Elanga 62.

MCFC: Trafford, Ait Nouri, Ake (Alleyne 46), Foden (Cherki 72), Khusanov, Marmoush, Gonzalez (Lewis 83), Nunes, O'Reilly (Rodri 71), Reijnders, Semenyo (Haaland 71).
Subs n/u: Donnarumma, Dias, McAidoo, Nypan.

Booked: Nunes, Gonalez, Rodri.

Goals: Marmoush 7,29, Reijnders 32.

Crowd: 41,834 including a travelling contingent of 5,359 fans in the South Stand upper who sang, "We're gonna win 6-5" after Elanga's goal. Black and white humour.

Eddie Howe said after the game:

"We were craving that first goal and when Manchester City get it you know our task becomes even more difficult.

"If you add up all our opportunities over the two ties, there was a lot of missed opportunities which has really cost us.

"I was really annoyed with the first-half display because I think we pride ourselves on being really organised and tactically we want to be able to hand any problem the opposition gives us but that first half I just don’t think we were good enough individually and our duels were off.

"Really annoyed with the first-half display because we pride ourselves on been really organised and tactically we want to be able to handle any problem the opposition gives us.

"But that first half, I just don't think we were good enough. Our duels were off. That gave us huge problems. We didn’t defend well at all, I think.

"So, yeah, the first half was really disappointing. Where does that leave our season? That leaves our season, we are still fighting on several fronts. I think the games are coming thick and fast, there is no let-up for us.

"It is painful. We obviously loved the ride that we had last year in the cup and all the moments and the experience, and we were desperate to do it again.

"We're finding it difficult in this moment having just played Paris, Liverpool and Manchester City away. That's a tough schedule for any team to face, and we're dealing with the number of injuries that we have. There are no excuses, it's just that's the reality.

"We're missing some really big players, and I think you could feel that from their performance tonight.

"Last year we went to several grounds and went into the games really believing that we could win. The only way you build that is by winning, so we need to try and get that feeling back. The team has been knocked in recent weeks, there's no denying that.

"As I said, we've lost some big players, and with that you lose a little bit of confidence.

"It's funny, the last two games, if you look at it and actually really analyse the games, which I know you guys do, you'd go, we haven't been outplayed throughout the games, we've been in the games.

"We haven't defended well enough and we haven't taken a lot of the chances that we've created.

"So we still believe that we're a good team, we just need to protect confidence levels at all costs, that's my first thought."

On Anthony Gordon:

"It looks like a hamstring problem. I don’t quite know how bad it is but it was enough for him to come off so that’s a big worry.”

Referee: Tony Harrington - first Newcastle game this season for the Hartlepool official, last seen taking charge of our final day Premier League home loss to Everton in May.

VAR: Paul Howard

Stats:

Harvey Barnes reached a century of appearances in all competitions for Newcastle (49 starts).

Anthony Elanga netted his first competitive Magpies goal on his 32nd league and cup appearance (13 starts).

Elanga finally ended Newcastle's Etihad goal drought at 752 minutes since DeAndre Yedlin scored in the Premier League during September 2018.

In the meantime, the Citizens have found the net here against us on no less than 25 occasions.

Magpies @ Citizens PL era:

2025/26 Lost 1-3 Elanga
2024/25 Lost 0-4
2023/24 Lost 0-2 (FAC)
2023/24 Lost 0-1
2022/23 Lost 0-2
2021/22 Lost 0-5
2020/21 Lost 0-2
2019/20 Lost 0-5
2018/19 Lost 1-2 Yedlin
2017/18 Lost 1-3 Murphy
2015/16 Lost 1-6 Mitrovic
2014/15 Lost 0-5
2014/15 Won 2-0 Aarons, Sissoko (LC)
2013/14 Lost 0-4
2012/13 Lost 0-4
2011/12 Lost 1-3 Gosling
2010/11 Lost 1-2 Gutierrez
2008/09 Lost 1-2 Carroll
2007/08 Lost 1-3 Martins
2006/07 Drew 0-0
2005/06 Lost 0-3
2004/05 Drew 1-1 Shearer
2003/04 Lost 0-1
2002/03 Lost 0-1
2000/01 Won 1-0 Shearer
1995/96 Drew 3-3 Albert 2, Asprilla
1994/95 Drew 0-0
1994/95 Drew 1-1 Jeffrey (LC)
1993/94 Lost 1-2 Sellars

(Etihad since 2003/04, Maine Road before that)

NUFC v MCFC in the League Cup - all-time:

1975/76 F lost 1-2 (Wembley) Gowling
1994/95 R4 drew 1-1 (Maine Road) Jeffrey
1994/95 R4R lost 0-2 (SJP)
2013/14 R4 lost 0-2 (SJP)
2014/15 R4 won 2-0 (Etihad) Aarons, Sissoko
2023/24 R3 won 1-0 (SJP) Isak
2025/26 SF1L lost 0-2 (SJP)
2025/26 SF2L lost 1-3 (Etihad) Elanga

Newcastle lost their first League Cup semi-final at the fourth attempt, coinciding with the first time that they hadn't enjoyed second leg home advantage:

1975/76 Spurs: lost 0-1 (a), won 3-1 (h)
2022/23 Southampton: won 1-0 (a), won 2-1 (h)
2024/25 Arsenal: won 2-0 (a), won 2-0 (h)
2025/26 Manchester City: lost 0-2 (h), lost 1-3 (a)

Ticket sale details for the second leg of United's Champions League last 16 play-off versus Qarabag FK are as follows:

Member ballot opens Mon 09.02.2026, Noon
Member ballot closes Tue 10.02.2026, Noon
Ballot winners notified Wed 11.02.2026, 11.30am
Seat selection opens Wed 11.02.2026, Noon
Seat selection closes Fri 13.02.2026, Noon

The Magpies return to Premier League action on Saturday, looking to end a winless three game run in that competition when the Bees arrive on Tyneside.

It's a 5.30pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports.

This will be Brentford's twelfth visit to SJP and they are winless in the previous 11. Newcastle have never failed to score against them in a home game.

United are now winless in four games in all competitions, their worst sequence since November and December 2024.

Failure to beat Brentford would make that five games - the longest barren run since February and March 2023.

Team: Anthony Gordon is the latest concern, after leaving the pitch before half time at Manchester City in midweek. He's now reported to have had a hamstring scan.

Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth and Joelinton remain out. The availability of Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes is yet to be confirmed.

Assuming he plays, Sven Botman will make his 100th appearance in all competitions for Newcastle.

Coral rate this game as follows:

NUFC win 17/20
The draw 14/5
BFC win 29/10

New customers receive a £50 bet when staking £10 on the PL (T's & C's apply). Find those markets online here   

BFC: Josh Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and Fabio Carvalho are out due to injury. Kevin Schade will be suspended following his red card against Aston Villa. The midfielder netted the opener in Brentford's 3-1 win over United last November.

Despite playing over half the game with 10 men, Brentford won 1-0 at Villa Park - ending a run of successive losses.

Igor Thiago has scored 17 PL goals so far this season, including a brace against United in the first meeting.

On the road this season, Keith Andrews has seen his side win four games and lose the other eight.

Referee: Andy Madley - a quick return to Gallowgate for the West Yorkshire whistler after he took charge of the 2-2 PL home draw with Chelsea in December 2025.

VAR: John Brooks

UK TV: Live on Sky Sports

Overseas TV: to follow

UK Radio: Live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
(Second half also on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports)

Roads: Barrack Road will be closed to traffic post-match between Stanhope Street and St. James' Boulevard, beginning at the final whistle or earlier and continuing up to 45 minutes after full time or when crowds disperse.

Buses: Due to the closure of Barrack Road, Go North East X50 football services to the Metro Centre will depart from St. James’ Boulevard, outside the Citygate building.

Stagecoach buses stopping on Barrack Road will be diverted and passengers required to use alternative bus stops while the post-match closure is in place. Details here

Metro: No scheduled disruptions.

Rail: Scheduled disruptions are online here

Stats:

Bees in Toon - all-time:

2024/25 won 2-1 Isak, Tonali (PL)
2024/25 won 3-1 Tonali 2, Schar (LC)
2023/24 won 1-0 Wilson (PL)
2022/23 won 5-1 Bruno 2, Murphy, Almiron, og (PL)
2021/22 drew 3-3 Lascelles, Joelinton, ASM (PL)
2016/17 won 3-1 Clark, Gayle 2 (Ch)
2001/02 won 4-1 Ameobi, Bellamy 3 (LC)
1992/93 won 5-1 Kelly, Bracewell, Clark 2, Lee (D1)
1954/55 won 3-2 Curry, Hannah, Mitchell (FA)
1947/48 won 1-0 Woodburn (D2)
1934/35 lost 2-5 Gallantree, Kelly (D2)

Latest PL fixtures:

Fri 06.02.2026:
Leeds United v Nottingham Forest (8pm) Sky

Sat 07.02.2026:
Manchester United v Spurs (12.30pm) TNT
Arsenal v mackems (3pm)
Bournemouth v Aston Villa (3pm)
Burnley v West Ham (3pm)
Fulham v Everton (3pm)
Wolves v Chelsea (3pm)
Newcastle v Brentford (5.30pm) Sky

Sun 08.02.2026:
Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace (2pm) Sky
Liverpool v Manchester City (4.30pm) Sky

Compo:
There's only one...

No age limit, open to all but delivery only to a UK address. One entry each please. In the event of a tie, one winner will be randomly drawn from all correct entries received.

PS: Tino scarves will be available from the Football Bobbles stall outside the Trent House from 2.30pm on Saturday, along with the Srnicek hat/scarf joint discount deal.

Tuesday sees the Magpies back on the road, heading to N17 for a Premier League meeting with Thomas Frank's Cockerels.

This will be United's seventh visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the previous six bringing three wins, two losses and a draw. The Magpies have netted in all six.

The two sides have already met twice this season: the corresponding PL game ending 2-2 and Newcastle running out 2-0 winners at SJP in the Carabao Cup.

It's a 7.30pm kick-off, live on TNT Sports.

Team: to follow

THFC: James Maddison, Richarlison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, Lucas Bergvall and Pedro Porro are all missing due to injury. 

News on the availability of Kevin Danso, Dejan Kulusevski, Djed Spence and Dominic Solanke is awaited.

Ahead of our visit, Spurs face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, looking to end a winless run in the Premier League that stands at six games.

12 home PL games so far this season have harvested just two victories for Spurs, with four draws and six losses.

Referee: Anthony Taylor - a second Toon posting of the season for the official from very near Manchester, after the 0-1 loss at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

VAR: Nick Hopton

UK TV: Live on TNT Sports

Overseas TV: to follow

UK Radio: Live on talkSPORT 2

Underground: The Bank branch of the Northern Line is closed between Camden and Kennington from 10pm

Metro: No scheduled disruptions.

Rail: Scheduled disruptions are online here

Stats:

Magpies @ Cockerels - PL era:

2024/25 Won 2-1 Gordon, Isak
2023/24 Lost 1-4 Joelinton
2022/23 Won 2-1 Wilson, Almiron
2021/22 Lost 1-5 Schar
2020/21 Drew 1-1 Wilson (pen)
2019/20 Won 1-0 Joelinton
2018/19 Lost 0-1
2017/18 Lost 0-1
2015/16 Won 2-1 Mitrovic, Perez
2014/15 Lost 0-4 (LC)
2014/15 Won 2-1 Ameobi, Perez
2013/14 Won 1-0 Remy
2012/13 Lost 1-2 Gouffran
2011/12 Lost 0-5
2010/11 Lost 0-2
2008/09 Lost 0-1
2007/08 Won 4-1 Butt, Geremi, Owen, Martins
2006/07 Won 3-2 Huntington, Martins, Butt
2005/06 Lost 0-2
2004/05 Lost 0-1
2003/04 Lost 0-1
2002/03 Won 1-0 Jenas
2001/02 Won 3-1 Acuna, Shearer, Bellamy
2000/01 Lost 2-4 Solano, Dyer
1999/00 Drew 1-1 Speed (FAC)
1999/00 Lost 1-3 Solano
1998/99 Lost 0-2
1997/98 Lost 0-2
1996/97 Won 2-1 Ferdinand 2
1995/96 Drew 1-1 Ginola
1995/96 Won 2-0 Sellars, Ferdinand (FR)
1994/95 Lost 2-4 Fox 2
1993/94 Won 2-1 Beardsley 2

Upcoming PL fixtures:
(All games live on TNT Sports)

Tue 10.02.2026:
Chelsea v Leeds United (7.30pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7.30pm)
Spurs v Newcastle (7.30pm)
West Ham v Manchester United (8.15pm)

Wed 11.02.2026:
Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion (7.30pm)
Crystal Palace v Burnley (7.30pm)
Manchester City v Fulham (7.30pm)
Nottingham Forest v Wolves (7.30pm)
mackems v Liverpool (8.15pm)

Thu 12.02.2026:
Brentford v Arsenal (8pm)