Newcastle United

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We asked for your views on whether you are concerned with Yoane Wissa's form in front of goal since joining Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: Not overly concerned about Wissa. Has missed a couple chances but also scored a couple poacher-like goals and I think more game time after the injury suffered will make him sharper and better on all fronts. Having said that, he was never worth £55m but the summer transfer window was a mess and we were desperate enough to pay it (leaving us perhaps short this window and the next?)

Richard: Wissa had a poor game against Man City, not only his goal attempts but his marking on the Man City player which lead to their goal. It seemed Eddie Howe was noticeably annoyed about two of his players not following his tactics. If it was me I'd play Harry Barnes in CF position, he has scored some excellent goals with feet and head.

Simon: Let's give him more game time… But he's making Semenyo look like a bargain right now.

Calum: If I paid £55m for something I'd expect an immediate result! He's underperforming & needs to demonstrate, goal wise, why we're willing to pay so much to get him.

Alan: To be honest, it's difficult to follow Isak but he does not emanate confidence or provide the quality we require to take the team forward. We have not bought well and I worry about the conditions we use to determine the quality standards we set.

Chris: To be brutally honest, I've not seen all that much of Wissa in a black and white shirt to be excited by. The same thing with Elanga. Both seemed like good signings, but perhaps they're both low on confidence and trying a little too hard to deliver something to justify their price tag. Not sure what the answer is, but hope both come good soon.

Listen to Lee Clark's opinion on Wissa on BBC Radio Newcastle

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Has Yoane Wissa's start to life in Newcastle been a cause for concern amongst fans?

Since joining in the summer, Wissa has registered just two goals from 11 appearances for his new club.

Having been out injured until the start of December, a number of those appearances have come from the bench.

However, when handed a start against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, Wissa missed a golden opportunity to give his side an early lead.

The 27-year-old scooped an effort over the bar from close range, and also had a looping header saved by James Trafford in the first half.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, fan John admitted he has concerns about Wissa's early performances in front of goal.

"Wissa's chance in the first half, I'd expect a man who we paid £55m for to be doing better with those chances," John said.

"The worrying thing is, this isn't the first time we've seen this. On Saturday against Bournemouth he had similar chances and he didn't hit the target.

"We've put a lot of faith in this lad. I know he is coming back from a long-term injury, but for me he's had long enough to be at least working the goalkeeper.

"If he's hitting it on target and the keeper is making great saves, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt because he's making the keeper work.

"But he's not even doing that, and that's a concern for me."

So, Newcastle fans, are you disappointed with Wissa's start as a Newcastle player, or does he just need more time?

Get in touch with your views here

You can listen to more on Wissa from BBC Radio Newcastle here.

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Teenage busker Joe Bartley says he has fulfilled a dream by playing on the pitch at St James' Park.

The singer took to the pitch before kick-off on Tuesday as the Magpies lost their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

"My mum and girlfriend entered me into a competition," Bartley told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"The club got in touch and said they had an idea for me to play on the pitch. My mum told me and we were all just lost for words.

"I only really get nervous just before. About half an hour before, going to pitchside and seeing the ground fill up, that got me a bit nervous. I try my best not to show it but there were definitely a couple of nerves.

"It was all mental. I have been going to the ground since I was about four. Being on the pitch was an absolute dream for me."

Bartley started busking outside the stadium in the 2021-22 season and has since worked to donate to cancer charities and food banks.

His popularity on Tyneside led to him featuring on stage at St James' Park with local hero Sam Fender last summer.

"Sam is my idol, someone I really look up to," he said.

"Sam got in touch with my guitar teacher Phil while I was having a lesson with him. Phil handed me the phone and Sam said he'd seen what I had been doing and asked me to get up on stage.

"We tried not to tell many people so it would be a surprise. Straight after the guitar lesson I rang me dad, my mam was in the car and we were all crying. It was absolutely mental.

"The dream was always to play at St James' so I don't know what's up from here really. I want to keep writing, get some more songs out, do as many gigs as I can and just keep going."

Listen to Joe speak to BBC Radio Newcastle

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Former Newcastle striker Mick Quinn says that VAR is "draining the passion" out of football.

Fans were subjected to a lengthy delay during Newcastle's League Cup defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday as VAR decided whether or not to rule out a second goal scored by Antoine Semenyo.

It was decided that the goal would be chalked off, as Erling Haaland was found marginally offside and interfering with goalkeeper Nick Pope's ability to stop the shot.

Quinn was not impressed by the amount of disruption VAR caused.

"That was a joke," Quinn told BBC Radio Newcastle. "VAR's killing the game.

"It was five or six minutes of waiting.

"The ref needed some help, OK, then you've got guys who are hundreds of miles away making a decision - and then can't make a decision.

"They have to ask the referee to the screen to make his own decision."

After Semenyo's goal was chalked off, Newcastle had 20 minutes to draw the home leg level - before nine minutes of injury time was added on in recognition of the delay caused by VAR.

"It's bonkers, it's absolutely bonkers," Quinn said.

"VAR is like a vampire, draining the passion out of the game.

"Ironically, the biggest roar of the night from Newcastle fans was for the nine minutes of extra time they added for wasting that VAR time, but it was all in vein, it backfired with that Cherki goal at the death."

You can listen to the rest of Quinn's analysis on the Man City defeat on BBC Radio Newcastle

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Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says that the Magpies' failure to be ruthless in front of goal has given them "a mountain to climb" in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

The visitors seized the advantage at St James' Park on Tuesday, with new signing Antoine Semenyo hitting the opener in the first-leg tie.

Newcastle were given a reprieve by VAR when Semenyo's second goal was ruled out for an offside, but a late goal by Rayan Cherki gave Newcastle a two-goal cushion to overcome in the second leg at the Etihad on 4 February.

Anderson says Cherki's goal exemplifies the difference between the two sides.

"We had one or two moments but the second goal sums it up, the quality that they have, the move that led to that was one-touch football - a little flick in behind, pull back, good finish," Anderson said.

"Going to the Etihad 1-0 down was always going to be difficult, going there 2-0 down gives us a mountain to climb.

"Can you see us going there and keeping a clean sheet?"

Anderson is not convinced that Newcastle are getting enough return on their chances to score, currently.

With the game goalless and just the goalkeeper to beat, Yoane Wissa sent the ball over the bar early in the first leg before Bruno Guimaraes hit the post in the second half.

"I said before the game kicked off that Manchester City will give you opportunities," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"But you've got to take them because if you give them chances, they will punish you - that's what they did to us.

"They took their chances, we didn't take ours."

You can listen to more of John Anderson's analysis of the first leg tie on BBC Radio Newcastle.

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Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe says his side are "still alive" in the Carabao Cup, but one of football's "magical moments" will be needed to overhaul Manchester City.

The Magpies - holders of the trophy - lost 2-0 in the home leg of their semi-final against City on Tuesday, with the Manchester leg arriving on 4 February.

"We're still alive, we're still in there fighting, although it is very difficult to turn it around," said Howe, whose side beat Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg of last year's semi.

"It's still possible and football can conjure up some magical moments.

"Last year, we were on the other side of this scoreline. We went to Arsenal and won 2-0 and we felt that game was still very much alive, it was all about the next goal in the tie. I think that's going to be the case in this one - if we can get the next goal, we're still very much in it.

"We saw enough today to think we can be competitive and we weren't at our absolute best physically. But I still think we caused them problems, so we're going to have to go with that same mindset again."

Despite a 2-0 defeat, Howe saw plenty of encouraging signs and his side hit the woodwork several times before City took control.

Next up, Newcastle travel to bottom-club Wolves on Sunday before hosting PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"It's a disappointing defeat, but I don't think it's a majorly disappointing performance," said Howe. "I don't think it should tar confidence in any way. In fact I think in some senses, it should enhance it.

"We were close to doing really well against one of the best teams in the division, but we have to refocus now.

"We've got a really difficult game against Wolves where, if we go with any fatigue or without the right mindset, these are really difficult games, as we've found before this season."

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's 2-0 League Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Manchester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Samuel: A pretty lacklustre performance for a home game. Having said that, there were some good chances and we really should have put a couple of them away. We're not out yet, but it's certainly going to be an uphill struggle at the Etihad.

James: I said after the games against Bournemouth and Leeds that if Newcastle kept playing the way they were, then it was just a matter of time before they would get beaten. Of course, what happened tonight? They were beaten. Full credit to Manchester City - they were by far the better team.

Smudge: Wrong team selection again. How on earth do you start Ramsey, who has been awful since his move from Villa, and leave Tonali and Barnes on the bench? Absolutely embarrassing. Barring a miracle there is no final for us this season.

Tosh: What a game - end to end, plenty of chances for both sides. City took them, we never did and that's the difference at this level with what's at stake. City were worthy winners tonight, and its not over yet. Our defence is all about the Lewises just now, both have been standout performers recently. Rest, recover, repeat that intensity, it's all we ask of you lads... Toon Army!!

Ritchie: We had chances - good chances - and didn't finish them. That's the difference. If we scored first, it changes the game and atmosphere. It's not over yet, but a tough ask in a gruelling schedule. Good effort from the team, but we need greater quality in our squad depth to be in four competitions at this stage in the season. Getting there.

Richard: I think we were always going to lose this game. Man City have set their sights on this trophy and will get it. On signings, we get Elanga and Wissa, for the same price they get Semenyo. Who got the short straw?

Graeme: Can we get a refund on Elanga and Ramsey and Wissa? What a waste of money. Still got hope for the return leg, but need some luck. A decent effort tonight, but not clinical enough in the box.

Jeff: Newcastle made a massive mistake in buying Wissa and Elanga, they are nowhere near the mark. The last few games we've got away with, but tonight showed we are miles away.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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After a weekend when supporters enjoyed the FA Cup without VAR, this was a very different experience for fans at St James' Park.

The job of video assistant referee Stuart Attwell was made harder because the semi-automated offside technology failed, as it did when the two teams met in the Premier League in December.

The players - Erling Haaland, Malick Thiaw and Nick Pope - were too close together, so it meant Attwell had to revert to the old technology and draw lines.

The decision reached was technically correct in law, because Haaland was offside and in direct contact with a defender who could possibly have stopped the ball going into the goal.

But fans won't see it that way. They will see a perfectly legitimate goal with an offside offence which wouldn't have been noticed but for VAR.

If the decision had been quick, there would have been much more confidence. But the extended delay adds to the controversy and gives the impression the VAR was not certain. It would have been better if the VAR had left this alone.

A decision being technically right is not necessarily what the game wants in this context.

Listen to Dale debate the decision on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast

Read Dale's piece on an increase in VAR errors

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast: "Near the end of the game, Antoine Semenyo had a 40-metre run and we almost gasped at the pace where he gets past Kieran Trippier and leaves him for dead. He was lightning quick and it was effortless. He looked really good.

"I think he was outshone by Jeremy Doku. Manchester City knew where there was a problem for Newcastle and they worked it well.

"I would not be betting against City getting to Wembley. However, if you're Eddie Howe or a Newcastle fan thinking 'we're out now', well, wait a minute. City have a lot of big games coming up.

"Erling Haaland just about crawled off the pitch. How strong will they go in the second leg? The temptation is to go a bit light.

"If Newcastle score an early goal, it's back on again. It's unlikely, a long shot, but impossible? No. Anything can happen in football."

Listen to Football Daily on BBC Sounds

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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A huge roar went up inside St James' when nine minutes of stoppage time were added on. Understandably so.

It was just last week that Newcastle scored two scarcely believable late goals to defeat Leeds United in a 4-3 classic.

The home support dared to dream once more - but there was to be no grandstand finish for the hosts this time.

This time Rayan Cherki landed what felt like a mortal blow in the 98th minute as Newcastle supporters streamed out.

What a contrast to the scenes before kick-off.

The home fans certainly believed as a huge flag display depicted the Wembley arch above a banner, which read "Gannin' Alang Wembley Way".

The noise was raucous.

James Trafford, who turned down a move to Newcastle to return to Manchester City last summer, was booed mercilessly throughout. Throw-ins and corners were celebrated. The roar that greeted Semenyo's goal being disallowed was deafening in the second half.

Eddie Howe knew his side had to feed off it and take something back to Etihad Stadium next month.

There was a different dynamic to this game compared with previous semi-finals, in 2023 and 2025, when Newcastle went away first before finishing the job off at a febrile St James'.

But this was ultimately a case of what might have been on a night they fired a rare blank.

An almighty challenge now awaits.

Newcastle have only won once at the Etihad, and Howe's side have yet to even score in the stadium since he took charge in 2021.

This team are going to have to finally overcome that hoodoo – and some – to return to Wembley.

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Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports after Newcastle's defeat by Manchester City: "It's a body blow [conceding in the last minute] but not fatal at the moment. We're still in there fighting. I think there was maybe a bit of naivety that we're still trying to chase a goal with a minute to go on the clock. In that moment, we needed to defend after we got our structure wrong from that position, and we got punished.

"The lads gave everything under difficult circumstances after the extra time on Saturday. There was a bit of fatigue in our performance, but I can't fault the players."

On Yoane Wissa missing a chance early on: "With hindsight, you'd say that's potentially a big turning point. We wanted to get the crowd fully into the match; Manchester City want to do the opposite by retaining the ball and calming the crowd down. Yoane's a top player. He's still finding his very best level after a long time injured. Maybe in a couple more weeks that might've gone in.

"All I can look at is the effort levels of the players. Considering Saturday's efforts against Bournemouth, that was a great effort from the guys against the worst side that could expose that fatigue."

Hear more from Howe on BBC Sounds

Newcastle are considering signing a defender this month after full-back Tino Livramento suffered a hamstring injury that will sideline him for eight weeks. (Sky Sports), external

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

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

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Manchester City's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Holders Newcastle United make seven changes for their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

Nick Pope, Lewis Miley, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon all come back into the side following Newcastle's dramatic penalty shootout win against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

After trialling a 4-2-3-1 last time out, head coach Eddie Howe has reverted to his favoured 4-3-3 formation.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Joelinton, Murphy, Wissa, Gordon.

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Tonali, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, A.Murphy, Neave.

Phil Foden starts as Manchester City make five changes for the trip to St James' Park.

Foden, Matheus Nunes, Bernardo Silva, Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku are all recalled following the club record equalling 10-1 rout against Exeter City at the weekend.

Man City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake, O'Reilly, Silva, Semenyo, Foden, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Donnarumma, Reijnders, Cherki, Rodri, Ait-Nouri, McAidoo, Gray, Mukasa, Lewis.

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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Look, easy is boring. Just 40 games in a season across all competitions? Couldn't be Newcastle United!

The game should be 90 minutes long? Not for the Magpies! Give us thirty more. Give us penalties. Give us every senior player available being absolutely knackered (and freezing) by the end of the match only days before they have to play again.

Give us cup hope! That is what this weekend did. And it is hope that might be further compounded against Manchester City this week as we head into another League Cup semi-final.

Today I'm serving hope with a side of 'oh GOD, what next?', because of course last week when I wrote about Fabian Schar's 250th game, I cursed him and he picked up a serious ankle injury in the next match.

On Saturday, Tino Livramento got a hamstring injury. We are now extremely light on the ground defensively.

Luckily there is Lewis Miley, who seems able to play in literally any position and has slotted into defending nicely, but I do worry about our coverage there. Hindsight is always 20/20, but if we are having a mid-season check-in and considering the summer, it does seem like our transfer window was lacking.

It is true that on paper we strengthened the squad, but in practice it looks entirely different. We have got a busy January and now February, with an FA cup fixture in the mix, and we find ourselves back in the position of having to field almost all our senior players for almost all the games. This is untenable - we see that it leads to serious fatigue and, ultimately, opens us up to injuries.

It is a fun time to be a Newcastle fan, with momentum shifting in our favour a bit. I just hope we use the remaining time in this window to buy or loan a defensive option to help us push on across the many competitions we are in.

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

"Not the draw you would have really wanted".

That was the instinctive response from the Total Sport team on BBC Radio Newcastle when the Magpies were pulled out to face a trip to Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Take a listen to the reaction below and get all of your Newcastle United audio here

Newcastle United along with Manchester United and Tottenham are all monitoring 22-year-old centre back Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo. (CaughtOffside), external

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The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

The matches will be played over the weekend of 14 February.

• Liverpool/Barnsley v Brighton

• Stoke City v Fulham

• Oxford United v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

• Hull City v Chelsea

• Burton Albion v West Ham

• Burnley v Mansfield Town

• Grimsby Town v Wolves

• Aston Villa v Newcastle

• Manchester City v Salford City/Swindon Town

• Macclesfield v Brentford

• Birmingham City v Leeds

See the full draw

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Sven Botman has signed a new contract with Newcastle United until 2030.

The Dutch defender had entered the final 18 months of his original deal, but has now committed his long-term future to the club.

"I'm really happy to sign this contract," he said. "This club has given me so much in the past three and a half years.

"I've grown as a person and as a player here and I feel like I have so much more to give in the long term.

"That's why both parties are really happy with this decision and I'm looking forward to what's coming in the future here."

Sporting director Ross Wilson spent his first few days in the post analysing the contracts of Newcastle's squad after joining the club from Nottingham Forest back in October.

It certainly did not escape his attention that Botman's deal was up at the end of next season, and head coach Eddie Howe was also keen to tie the centre-back down.

"He has been an outstanding player for us since he joined and I firmly believe there's more to come from him," Howe added.

"Sven has a strong mentality and work ethic, which is clear every time he trains or plays. We value his presence on and off the pitch and l'm really pleased to see his long-term future secured here."