Newcastle United's defence of their Carabao Cup title looks all but over after they were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City in the semi-final first leg at St James' Park.

Second half goals from Antoine Semenyo, who only signed for the club on Friday, and Rayan Cherki condemned the Magpies to a bruising defeat and left them with a huge mountain to climb ahead of next month's second leg at the Etihad Stadium.

The odds are now hugely stacked against Eddie Howe's side to retain the trophy they won at Wembley Stadium last season as they have to overturn a two-goal deficit at a stadium they have failed to win at since October 2024.

Here are five things we learned from a bruising defeat for Newcastle on Tyneside.

The Man City boss was asked in his pre-match press conference about Howe suggesting he would have something tactically up his sleeve but the City boss was in no mood to offer a serious response.

"I didn't sleep tonight thinking how my genius can create something for Eddie Howe," Guardiola said.

Continue Reading: Trafford defies Newcastle crowd taunts as Howe can't prevent 'genius' - 5 things