Newcastle United

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Newcastle's defence of the Carabao Cup ended with defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday.

Eddie Howe's side are still competing on three fronts this season, however, tough opponents are potentially looming in the Champions League and the 11th-placed Magpies are currently seven points away from fifth spot in the Premier League - which could earn them a return to Europe's premier club competition again next season.

"The FA Cup becomes really important for Newcastle and also the Champions League," said BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent John Murray on the Football Daily podcast.

"A match against Qarabag over two legs, the second leg at St James' Park, and if they get through that tie that there's the potential of Barcelona or Chelsea in the last 16, when the second leg would be away from home.

"That's why I feel the FA Cup does take on real importance for Newcastle this season."

Newcastle go to fellow top-flight side Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on 14 February.

Meanwhile, on a disappointing evening at Etihad Stadium, Anthony Gordon limped off in the first half with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.

"As a player, you don't want to see a team-mate injured at all but especially one who can produce moments of magic and real quality," added former Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden.

"He didn't pull up too sharply, so hopefully with him walking off and holding his hamstring, it's not too bad."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Hear BBC Radio Newcastle reaction and an interview with Eddie Howe

Newcastle United chief executive David Hopkinson says he has "no idea" if Sandro Tonali's agent offered the 25-year-old to Arsenal following rumours linking the Italy midfielder to the Gunners on transfer deadline day. (Talksport), external

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Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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History was always against the holders.

No side have ever reached a Carabao Cup final after losing the first leg at home by two or more goals.

Newcastle have also only ever won once at the Etihad.

But this game got away from Eddie Howe's team far too quickly.

As much as Newcastle found former target Trafford in fine form, the visitors were easily undone time and time again in the first half as they naively left gaps in an attempt to, somehow, get back into the tie.

Newcastle's midfield was repeatedly bypassed while a leggy back five struggled to handle Omar Marmoush.

At one stage, a disconsolate Dan Burn - the hero of the club's Wembley triumph less than a year ago - sat on the turf with his hands covering his face after Tijjani Reijnders scored Manchester City's third goal.

It summed up Newcastle's opening 45 minutes as gallows humour later spread across the away end and the travelling support chanted: "We're going to win 6-5!"

Having already lost Anthony Gordon to a hamstring injury, it was rather telling that Howe made three further changes at half-time in an effort to jolt his side.

Newcastle duly rallied after the break following a fine individual goal from Anthony Elanga, who also went on to miss a sitter, as the visitors ended a seven-and-a-half-year wait to score at the Etihad.

Wasteful Newcastle could have scored several more, but this heavy aggregate defeat was not the way the holders wanted to hand over the trophy they had waited so long to win.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was the start we didn't want.

"The first goal, Dan [Burn] has gone to clear the ball and it's gone off their attacker and gone in. That sums up the start of the game we had. It was the opposite of what we wanted and it took the game away from us."

On if his side were punished for not taking chances: "In both games if you look back. We are frustrated we only scored one goal in two games.

"We don't feel we should have lost the first leg 2-0 on the balance of opportunities created. It could have been different but we accept the reality. The last thing you want to do is have to chase a game. We were going for the match, we were trying to attack."

On Anthony Gordon: "It looks like hamstring injury, I don't think it looks too bad."

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Man City's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has sprung a few surprises with his side in control of this Carabao Cup semi-final.

Erling Haaland is on the bench, meaning Omar Marmoush gets a start up front and there are six changes in all from Sunday's 2-2 draw at Tottenham.

James Trafford replaces Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, Marc Guehi is cup-tied so Nathan Ake comes in at the back, with Nico Gonzalez, Tijjani Reijnders and Phil Foden also getting starts.

Rodri and Rayan Cherki are on the bench, where there is a return from a hamstring injury for Ruben Dias and Norwegian teenager Sverre Nypan is also a substitute.

Man City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Gonzalez, Reijnders, O'Reilly, Semenyo, Foden, Marmoush

Newcastle make three changes following their heavy 4-1 defeat at Liverpool at the weekend.

Nick Woltemade starts up front, with Aaron Ramsdale playing in goal and Sven Botman also coming in.

Harvey Barnes, Nick Pope and Anthony Elanga drop out.

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Gordon, Woltemade.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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History is not on Newcastle United's side.

No team has ever reached a League Cup final after losing the first leg of the semi-final by two or more goals at home.

Travel-sick Newcastle have also only ever won once at Etihad Stadium.

But Isaac Hayden is not ruling out his former side seizing "another chance to make history" against Manchester City on Wednesday - even if it is an almighty task for the holders.

"It's obviously going to be difficult because it hasn't been done before," said the midfielder. "But it had not been done for 70 years when they won the Carabao Cup. So why not?"

Newcastle have upset the odds in the competition before to defeat Manchester City, who were managed by Manuel Pellegrini at the time.

Even former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was the first to admit it was a "very strange" win after his much-changed side stunned Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, David Silva and others with a 2-0 victory in 2014.

"We were really surprised with what we got," he said. "It was terrific. I think Pellegrini was as surprised as we were."

Pardew remains the only Newcastle manager to have ever triumphed at Etihad Stadium, but current head coach Eddie Howe said his side have to believe they have the players to "go to any stadium in the world to perform and score goals".

Just like Newcastle's second leg against Arsenal last season, when Howe's team took a two-goal lead into the return fixture, the first strike will be crucial.

Newcastle opened the scoring that night - going on to defeat the Gunners 4-0 on aggregate - and the visitors are going to have to do so once again to even have a remote chance of getting back to Wembley.

"The start is so important there," Pardew added. "If you get off at the wrong foot, it can be a very long night."

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We've been looking back on Alan Shearer's contribution to Newcastle as 4 February marks 20 years since he broke Jackie Milburn's goal record for the Magpies.

You've sent in your views on his impact and what his best goal might have been:

Steve: I was in the Gallowgate end that day and the euphoria after the ball hit the back of the net was phenomenal. I think everybody in the ground was so happy for Alan and the noise was deafening to the chant of "Shearer". He definitely stands amongst greats, a true legend! It's up their with Alan's last kick of a football as a professional, his penalty against Sunderland. A goal that will live in the memory.

Colin: I was at that match. We all celebrated the goal, then realised he'd sort of broken the record* so we all celebrated all over again. He'd been level for a few matches so we'd all forgotten he'd broken the record until a few seconds after he did! Sometimes you don't realise you've witnessed history until after the moment. Also, Milburn's war time goals never seem to get counted even though at least a season of them were scored against full strength teams.

Bill: I was fortunate to get Alan's debut shirt from his first competitive NUFC game - the charity shield v Man Utd. All autographed by the team and Kevin Keegan. Alan is right up there with Jackie Milburn as one of our greatest.

Nicholas: His last goal for NUFC (number 206) was my favourite. A thumping penalty at the Stadium of Light in a 4-1 win.

Christopher: Shearer's goal vs Everton in 2002 tops the list of the best goals he ever scored...and that's some list!

He agrees with you Christopher if you watch the video below...

In the final part of his chat with BBC Radio Newcastle looking back on breaking Jackie Milburn's all-time Newcastle scoring record 20 years on, Alan Shearer discusses the scale of the achievement, how it compares to winning silverware, and his decision to stay with the Magpies despite interest from elsewhere.

"I know I haven't won a trophy with Newcastle but I sometimes think that's bigger than a trophy because of me being a local boy, beating the great Jackie Milburn and scoring at the Gallowgate End in front of my family," he said.

"I'm not sure a trophy would have been any better than that. I don't think it would to be honest and I know that's a pretty selfish thing but it's just there and it'll be there for a long time I think."

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Shearer continued: "I'm more than happy with what I did and achieved and all my decisions, with what I've got in Newcastle, with the goal record, the 10 years I had, with the statue, and the association I have with the Newcastle fans, it's where I live, it's where I'm from.

"I don't think it gets any better than that, and I know I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, but if I had the decision to make again I'd make it exactly the same."

What are your memories of that day? Which of Shearer's 206 Newcastle goals was your favourite? Get in touch using this form

Read more from Shearer reflecting on the anniversary below and access more Magpies audio from BBC Radio Newcastle here

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In the second part of his chat with BBC Radio Newcastle looking back on breaking Jackie Milburn's all-time Newcastle scoring record 20 years on, Alan Shearer recalls the moment the ball hit the net and the feeling this gave him.

The Magpies led Portsmouth 1-0 through a Charles N'Zogbia effort on 41 minutes, before Shearer ran onto Shola Ameobi's backheel to fire past Dean Kiely.

"I remember that Shay [Given] kicks the ball, I flick it on into Shola [Ameobi] and sort of turn and swivel in the hope that he might be able to flick it into my path and he did just that," he recalled.

"It was a perfect little flick from Shola so then the rest was up to me. I had to get across the defender, who was Andy O'Brien actually who of course used to play for Newcastle, and then the goal is there and my eyes light up.

"It just happened so quickly to think 'God, this is this could be it'.

"It was just a matter of just get it in and worry about what happens afterwards but then once I got the connection, once I've seen it go under the goalkeeper then that was it.

"The relief, the feeling of joy and everything else, the emotion for all of those reasons that I've mentioned.

"Jackie Milburn was my dad's hero and still is to this day and people talk about Jackie, how great he was, everything he meant to the football club and how long the record had stood for.

"Then me being from Newcastle and doing it at the Gallowgate End just felt right.

"I can't remember ever having a feeling like that on a football pitch in all my years when I saw and felt the ball hit the back of the net.

"It was one of those moments where I wish I could have bottled that feeling because of the crowd noise, the excitement, the adrenaline. I've never had a hit like that to be honest.

"I've scored some pretty important goals in my time but I just think because of the build up, because of the enormity of it in Newcastle, and because of me being from Gosforth and my mum and dad being there it was just an unbelievable feeling - one of the best I've ever had on a football pitch.

"I used to stand and watch my hero Kevin Keegan and I remember all those years ago when he made his debut in 1982 when I was 11. From that day I wanted to understand what that felt like.

"I had that feeling lots of times but none of them ever felt like that did that afternoon."

Come back to this page later on Wednesday for the third part of Shearer's chat

Access Newcastle United audio on BBC Sounds here

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Wednesday marks 20 years to the day since Alan Shearer broke Jackie Milburn's all-time Newcastle scoring record with his 201st goal for the Magpies.

To mark the occasion the man himself has spoken exclusively to BBC Radio Newcastle, detailing his recollections from the day, what it meant to him and his family, and where it ranks in his stellar career.

Newcastle were playing Portsmouth in February 2006 in their first match under temporary manager Glenn Roeder after Graeme Souness was sacked the previous week.

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The Magpies sat six points above the bottom three so needed a victory and performance against Portsmouth at St James' Park to hearten the home crowd and ease fears of being dragged into a relegation battle.

Recalling his emotions going into the match, Shearer said: "I was always hopeful.

"I wasn't at my very best at that time of the season because I knew my legs were no longer what they were, but I was hopeful that I could still bang in a few goals between then and the end of the season.

"There's also trepidation and worry, because I knew that I was retiring and I knew that the longer it went on, the harder it would become.

"But, I'm always glass half full rather than half empty, so I was hopeful, I was confident and I felt as good as I could do in terms of me being at the end of my career.

"It was all fingers crossed and ready to go and trying to prep as normally as possible.

"But of course with something of that size and that magnitude, with whose record I was breaking and and how long it had stood for and for all of those things, me being from Newcastle and everything else - trying to stay calm was easier said than done.

"Also, I knew that my mum and dad were in the stands, as were the rest of my family, all hoping and praying for me as well. So, it was about trying to be as normal as possible in very difficult circumstances but good circumstances."

Come back to this page for the second and third parts of Shearer's chat later

Access Newcastle United audio on BBC Sounds here

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Fans have been giving their views to BBC Radio Newcastle as 4 February marks 20 years to the day since Alan Shearer broke Jackie Milburn's goal record for the Magpies.

"He was a great lad for Newcastle was Jackie Milburn but not as good as Alan. Alan was the guy," one female fan told BBC Radio Newcastle.

When asking fans on the street in the city for their take, one supporter added: "In all the years I have come here, I would say Shearer, without any doubt, was the strongest player we ever had. He carried not only the team but seemed to carry the whole city on his shoulders."

Others pointed to Shearer's goal-hungry approach: "I remember him trying to bang one in from anywhere. Most players these days are trying to walk it into the net."

And some longed for another like him: "I was there when he set the record. I don't know anybody who is as good as Shearer now and I don't think there will be for a while."

Listen to Shearer on your Newcastle audio page

What are your memories of the day Shearer broke Milburn's record? Which of Shearer's 206 Newcastle goals was your favourite?

Get in touch using this form

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It is 20 years to the day since Alan Shearer became Newcastle United's all-time leading goalscorer.

Shearer, in his 10th and final season with his hometown club, collected Shola Ameobi's backheel and poked a shot underneath Portsmouth goalkeeper Dean Kiely at the Gallowgate End of St James' Park to secure a 2-0 win.

It was Shearer's 201st goal for the Magpies, breaking Jackie Milburn's record which had stood for 49 years.

The former England captain would find the net only five more times before his retirement at the end of the 2005-06 campaign.

What are your memories of that day? Which of Shearer's 206 Newcastle goals was your favourite?

Get in touch using this form

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Speaking after the 2-0 win against Portsmouth on 4 February, 2006 - the match in which he became Newcastle's all-time leading goalscorer by surpassing Jackie Milburn's record - Alan Shearer said: "I'm a very happy man.

"I know what Jackie [Milburn] means and meant to the people. I can now sleep easy that the pressure has gone."

In an interview with FourFourTwo magazine in 2015, Shearer said: "The best [day of my career] for atmosphere was the day I beat Jackie Milburn's record at St James' Park.

"The atmosphere that day was incredible. If I could have bottled that feeling, I would have.

"The record had lingered for a while and it was talked about before every game before I did it against Portsmouth that day.

"For 15 minutes after I scored, I was floating."

Newcastle, AC Milan and Chelsea are all interested in Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic, 26, on a summer free transfe. (Football Italia), external

Newcastle's Italy international Sandro Tonali, 25, is of interest to Manchester United, who are looking to bolster their midfield. (Metro, external)

Newcastle will resurrect a move for highly rated Reims midfielder Patrick Zabi, 19, in the coming months. (The i - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on Jamaal Lascelles after he completed a permanent move to Leicester City, ending a spell of more than a decade at St James' Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Richard: Incredible leader on and off the pitch. As the team have developed and he no longer was a first-team regular, his commitment and support remained consistent.

Harry: Jamaal Lascelles is the perfect example of what a Newcastle player should be. The work ethic, his "team first" mentality, his leadership within the squad. He will forever be remembered as a true Newcastle hero, from one of our darkest eras to our brightest, we've always been able to depend on him and I for one will always appreciate the time and effort he has put into making this team what it is today.

Gordon: Good luck Jamaal and thank you for being such a reliable defender and great club captain. Jamaal has been professional throughout his time at Newcastle and will be missed by Eddie and his team.

Ozzy: All fans will acknowledge what a tremendous servant Jamaal has been to the club and will want to express their gratitude. The Toon Army will continue to hold him in the highest regard and will wish him the very best of luck in his future career.

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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The January transfer window is a tricky one for several reasons - everyone is mid-season, player prices get inflated, rumours abound.

at Newcastle, we still bask in the memory of the first January window under Eddie Howe and the new ownership, which saw us bring in Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and more, which ultimately led to us staying in the Premier League. Halcyon days.

Our transfer strategy has come under much scrutiny from fans, with some claiming Howe has too much power, but the ultimate decision resting with the head coach is nothing unusual. This January has mostly seen academy and under-21 players loaned out or sold.

What it also has done is given us a fun little indicator of what is to come this summer, as there were rumours linking our midfield maestro Sandro Tonali to Arsenal.

In my opinion, this was not designed to be a serious last-day move but a signal of intent for the summer. More heartache incoming as our best players leave.

So, am I happy with the business done at Newcastle this January? Not really, because we needed to bring in a defensive player or two given our injury issues there.

We also let Jamaal Lascelles go. It was time; he should be playing football and he was not for us. After 12 years and 253 appearances though, I want to give him his flowers. An incredible presence in some really dark times for us, he understood what it meant to the fans and the club. A real captain.

I suppose I am grateful we have not sold anyone integral at this stage in our season. Losing key players without bringing any in would have been a madness. I did not expect much from this window.

I just hope it means the summer will be used wisely as our squad is in serious need of a refresh.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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It feels like the end of an era at Newcastle United.

Club captain Jamaal Lascelles has completed a permanent move to Leicester City after spending more than a decade at St James' Park.

It was certainly an eventful stint.

Following relegation, in 2016, Lascelles helped lead Newcastle back to the Premier League and played his part in ensuring his side stayed in the top flight during some testing times.

Lascelles then went on to step up in the Champions League and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet during Newcastle's landmark 4-1 win over Paris St-Germain in 2023.

He has not started a game for Newcastle since suffering a serious knee injury nearly two years ago.

But the centre-back has remained an influential figure behind the scenes and it was rather telling that both Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier beckoned him over to lift the Carabao Cup with them after Newcastle ended a 70-year wait to win a major domestic trophy last season.

No wonder Newcastle's farewell statement hailed Lascelles as "one of the great leaders of the club's recent history", while head coach Eddie Howe also paid tribute to an "incredible servant" at his news conference on Tuesday.

"There were some relegation battles where he really had to stand up and lead the group in difficult circumstances," he said. "He did that with real integrity and class. A really strong person, a really strong leader, very vocal.

"In my time with him here, he had a time when he had to wait for his opportunity but then ended up playing some unbelievable games for us - none more so than against PSG in the home game.

"In our Champions League journey, he was pivotal to that and produced some unbelievable performances, probably some of the best that I have seen him play."

What is Lascelles legacy at St James' Park?

Get in touch with your views here

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Newcastle United have an almighty challenge on their hands at the Etihad.

But it was rather telling that head coach Eddie Howe only fielded a couple of questions on the prospect of the holders overturning a two-goal deficit in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City.

This news conference was instead dominated by queries concerning a quiet mid-season window and the future of Sandro Tonali after the midfielder was linked with a move to Arsenal on deadline day.

Howe has since spoken to Tonali, and the Newcastle head coach made it clear on Tuesday that the Italian is "committed".

"There's certainly no intention from our side to lose Sandro at all," he said.

"He's such an integral player to what were doing. I think he's very happy here. He loves playing for Newcastle and loves representing the city."

Tonali said, himself, that he was "happy" at Newcastle, in November, but stressed it was "difficult" to think long term.

The midfielder's contract expires in 2029 and Newcastle have the option to trigger an additional 12-month extension, which puts the club in a strong position, not least after losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool a few months ago.

"Obviously in the summer we didn't have a sporting director, which massively impacted our way of working in terms of dealing with agents and dealing with that situation," Howe added.

"We were in a more vulnerable position than we are now. Ross [Wilson] has filled that position and is showing really good leadership dealing with transfers and all the things that entails.

"We are in a stronger position now to navigate those waters in a much calmer, clearer way."