NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe says his side are eager to “go one better” than last season’s runners-up finish in the Carabao Cup after his side beat Manchester City to reach this campaign’s fourth round.
Alexander Isak scored the winner for a largely second-string Newcastle, who came to life after the break to beat a much-changed City.
Newcastle, who lost to Manchester United in last year’s final, made 10 changes from Sunday’s 8-0 win at Sheffield United and barely got a kick in a first half dominated by the visitors.
But with Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon sent on at the break, the Magpies were transformed, with Isak slotting home following fine work from Joelinton.
“Pre-game, the run last year was in our thoughts,” Howe told Sky Sports. “It was an inspiration to us and helped our season, albeit the final maybe affected our league results. We look back on it with real pride.
“We want to try and go one further if we can but there is a long way to go at this stage. We are still there fighting.”
Disciplined but passive in the face of City’s possessional dominance, Howe’s men were fortunate to still be level after 45 minutes, with Julian Alvarez missing two decent chances.
Pep Guardiola opted for seven changes of his own, giving a first start to young midfielder Oscar Bobb among them, but the familiar patient probing was evident.
But the home side deserved their victory thanks to their second-half display, which was full of energy and endeavour and played largely in the face of a City side who could not react.
For Pep Guardiola’s side, it was just a second loss inside 90 minutes in their last 38 games in all competitions.
Newcastle are now unbeaten in four games after a run of three straight losses, with their reward for Wednesday’s win a fourth-round shot at revenge against the side that beat them in last year’s final.
The only downside for Newcastle, with Paris St-Germain to come on Wednesday in the Champions League after Saturday’s league visit of Burnley, was Isak departing the game on the hour with an injury.
