Howe rues Newcastle wastefulness after EFL Cup semi-final exit

Eddie Howe was left to rue Newcastle United’s wastefulness in entrance of purpose after their defence of the EFL Cup ended with a 5-1 mixture defeat to Manchester Metropolis within the semi-finals.

Omar Marmoush netted twice and was joined on the scoresheet by Tijjani Reijnders as Metropolis constructed on their 2-0 first-leg lead inside the first 32 minutes of Wednesday’s second recreation on the Etihad Stadium.

Anthony Elanga got here off the bench to get a comfort purpose for Newcastle within the second half, with Yoane Wissa additionally lacking a pair of massive possibilities.

Over the course of the tie, Newcastle created 2.21 anticipated targets (xG) to Metropolis’s 4.14, and Howe believed the mixture scoreline didn’t precisely replicate the steadiness of play.

“It was precisely the beginning we didn’t need. With the primary purpose, Dan [Burn] has gone to clear the ball and it’s gone off their attacker and gone in,” Howe advised Sky Sports activities.

“That sums up the begin to the sport that we had. It was the alternative of what we needed, and it took the sport away from us.

“In each video games, should you look again, we’re annoyed that we solely scored one purpose in two video games. We don’t really feel we must always have misplaced the primary leg 2-0 on the steadiness of alternatives created.

“It may have been completely different, however we settle for the fact. The very last thing you need to do is need to chase a recreation. We have been going for the match; we have been attempting to assault.”

12 – Newcastle United have now misplaced every of their final 12 away video games towards Manchester Metropolis in all competitions, their outright longest run away to a single opponent of their historical past. Cursed. pic.twitter.com/AgiAScEe9S

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 4, 2026

Newcastle have now misplaced every of their final 12 away video games towards Metropolis in all competitions, the longest dropping run away to a single opponent of their historical past.

The Magpies had progressed from all three of their earlier EFL Cup semi-final ties, however they grew to become solely the third holders to exit at this stage of the competitors, after Tottenham in 1971-72 and Blackburn Rovers in 2002-03.

Howe withdrew Nick Woltemade, Lewis Corridor and Joe Willock at half-time, with the tie already past his group, whereas in addition they noticed Anthony Gordon limp off injured shortly earlier than the interval.

Howe may supply an preliminary optimistic evaluation when requested about Gordon’s situation, saying: “It seems like a hamstring damage, I don’t suppose it seems too unhealthy.”