Newcastle dump Man City out of EFL Cup and draw Man Utd

LONDON :Newcastle United dumped Manchester City out of the League Cup 1-0 on Wednesday and drew a fourth round trip to holders Manchester United, who beat them in last season's final, as their reward.

Swedish forward Alexander Isak broke the deadlock in the second half at St James' Park after a much-changed City dominated possession in the first 45 minutes but failed to take their chances.

Newcastle soaked up the pressure and were transformed after the break, with Isak slotting in at the back post off a low cross from Joelinton in the 53rd.

City had Phil Foden and regular goal machine Erling Haaland on the bench while Newcastle started only goalkeeper Nick Pope from the team that won 8-0 at Sheffield United in the league last Sunday.

Julian Alvarez had two good chances, including one shot denied by Pope's outstretched foot, for City who had 68 per cent of the possession but still fewer shots on target than Newcastle.

"It was a game of two halves for us," said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who brought on Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon after the interval.

"First half was tough... I thought we didn't play particularly well but defended well in that first period because we didn't have a lot of the ball.

"In the second half we were excellent in most aspects, defensively and offensively, we attacked really well and probably deserved to win in the end."

It was the third year in a row that City, winners four times in a row from 2018 to 2021, had gone out of the competition early.

"We played an incredible game," City manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports television.

"They scored a goal. Last season we were out against Southampton and not there, but tonight we were. Congratulations to Newcastle."

LIVERPOOL THROUGH

Manchester United