In a game of two halves, City were clearly the better side in the first half but did not have anything to show for from their dominance.
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The biggest shock at this round’s Carabao Cup games happened at St. James’ Park. Newcastle United stunned Premier League leaders and current champion Manchester City. Alexander Isak’s only goal of the game at the start of the second half proved to be enough for both sides. In a game of two halves, City were clearly the better side in the first half but did not have anything to show for from their dominance.
However, Newcastle United came back strongly in the second period and got an early goal through Alexander Isak, which was enough for the home side to win their Carabao Cup fixture. Despite losing the game, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was pleased with his team’s performance. He further congratulated Newcastle for progressing in the cup. “First congratulations to Newcastle, for going through,” Guardiola, quoted by the club’s website, said after the match.
He added: “A big compliment to the players, I told them in the locker room, for the way that we played compared to last season against Southampton, we were there. We were brilliant first half, and of course for the way we played. I think Newcastle couldn’t accept (our first half dominance), they increased the rhythm and aggression and kicking, and they were there, more aggressive. We struggled a little but that’s normal. I said at half time the second half will not be like the first.”
Guardiola was happy to take the positives from the result despite ending on the wrong side of the scoreline. “I don’t know how many fouls they did and how many we did but we had double yellow cards. It is what it is. I said to be there in the bad moments and we were there. At the end we could not win, with the crowd. Congratulations to Newcastle. We have incredible positive things for many, many players for their good play. The competitions we won plus the European Super Cup, we have three more competitions to play in. For the rest of the teams, good luck for the Carabao Cup,” he elaborated.
The Manchester City manager also had only good words to describe Oscar Bobb’s performance on Wednesday night. “Absolutely Oscar was more than brilliant, in all parts offence and defence. He played as a number 10, as a striker, as a winger we know in the pockets in the middle he moves really well. His intensity is good, he works without the ball. His ability in the first half was in the action with Julian he was a little bit shy,” he stated. “He should have finished the action, but it’s normal at that age. Also Sergio was really good, all of them, Rico as well and the central defenders – everyone was really good. Kalvin played really well. It’s not easy when you have a lack of rhythm and tempo. He did it and he was really good.”
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