If Newcastle are to play Manchester City for a sixth time this campaign, it can only be in the Champions League final. They would take that, of course. But a large part of them must be hoping they do not see Sky Blue until next season. Next year, even.
Pep Guardiola and City have the Indian sign over Newcastle, and Omar Marmoush is the one casting the spell. With a match-winning double here, he has now scored four of his six goals this term against the Magpies, adding to a hat-trick last season.
This was a fourth victory for City over Newcastle in less than two months, spanning two legs of a Carabao Cup semi-final, the Premier League and now this, an FA Cup fifth-round tie that keeps alive hope of a quadruple.
They achieved what was, at least come the end, a comfortable win with a team of understudies. Marmoush, as he always does when he sees black and white, put his name up in lights and made a strong case for more significant involvement.
Guardiola’s celebration on full-time, and for each of his side’s three goals before that, spoke of his desire to maintain that pursuit of all trophies. He was even booked when hurling his coat to the floor in protest of a non-award of a free-kick in the second half. This mattered. Or, maybe, he was drawn into what was an absorbing and enjoyable contest.
Not that the team sheets screamed priority, not with Spain’s big two just days away in the Champions League. City made 10 changes and left Erling Haaland at home. Newcastle’s four were more palatable for this grand old competition, but the presence of Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon and Joelinton on the bench – three of their best in the midweek win over Manchester United – told of the distraction that is Barcelona. Not that it should have been, not when the FA Cup represented their best route back into Europe next season.
Omar Marmoush tormented Newcastle United again as City advanced in the FA Cup
Four of the Egyptian’s six goals this season have come against Eddie Howe’s side
The Toon will be glad to see the back of City after facing them five times this term
Still, Newcastle began by working from the same blueprint that brought Wednesday’s victory, only to lose the drawings after half an hour. By then, they were ahead thanks to Harvey Barnes. Come half-time, though, they were lucky not to be behind. Savinho equalised in the 39th minute and the best thing that happened to Newcastle for the remainder of the half was the sight of just one minute added. City battered them during that spell, and that never looked likely at the outset.
Howe had called on his players and supporters to reheat the dish that left Man Utd cold, and they did. From the off, Newcastle were fast, ferocious and on the front foot. Anthony Elanga saw a low blast saved by James Trafford. Midweek match-winner Will Osula ran clear but could not arrange his feet quickly enough this time. Nick Woltemade, back in the team after illness, must have felt sick again when Nico Gonzalez cleared his header from the line. It was one-way traffic and Newcastle saw green for goal in the 18th minute. It was a surprise it took that long.
Barnes has told Scotland boss Steve Clarke he has no interest in playing for them at the World Cup – but he does for England. After 12 games without a goal that wish seemed fanciful, but the quality of the strike to break his duck would have made Thomas Tuchel, watching from the stands, take note. Sandro Tonali sent him clear and the one-time-capped England winger finished into the top corner with international aplomb. And so ended Newcastle’s dominance.
Howe was revisiting the Woltemade midfield experiment, despite abandoning the tactic after half an hour of the German’s last appearance. Again, it did not work. Tonali, one part of a three in the engine room, became the only man working the piston. City were playing around, through and over Newcastle and, when Jeremy Doku got the better of two minders to cross to the far post, Savinho was stood alone to prod home.
The half-time whistle was a relief for Newcastle, but the one to start the second half brought trepidation. City picked up where they left off – incisive and full of energy – and needed just 100 seconds to take the lead. Matheus Nunes overlapped from right back and drilled a low cross to the far post where, again, City had a man unmarked. This time, Marmoush turned gratefully in.
He had to do more for his second in the 66th minute. Tijani Reijnders strode through what was a non-existent home midfield and squared to the Egyptian, unattended 20 yards out. That was a mistake for which Newcastle would pay and, with a devilish swipe of his right boot, Marmoush found the top corner with a speed of execution that rendered Aaron Ramsdale helpless.
In truth, Newcastle had no answer to City from the moment they went in front, and that is a theme that extends way beyond this latest meeting.
