Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Newcastle United will attempt to overturn the deficit at the Etihad to secure a place in the EFL Cup final. However, trips to Manchester City have become a torrid affair for the ‘Magpies’, who have lost 18 of their last 19 encounters at the Mancunian stronghold and have only managed a couple of victories there since 1960!
With Arsenal and Chelsea contesting their tie this Tuesday, Wednesday, 3 February will see Manchester City and Newcastle face off. On paper, Pep Guardiola’s side appear well-placed to reach the great EFL Cup final after securing a dominant 2-0 first-leg victory at St. James’ Park. Despite the uphill battle, this will not stop the ‘Magpies’ from dreaming of an epic comeback.
Achieving such a feat, on paper, looks incredibly difficult. A glance at the historical record between the two clubs reveals it to be a veritable pipe dream, as visiting the ‘Sky Blues’ has long been the worst nightmare for the Tyne and Wear club. The stark statistics do not lie: Newcastle have lost 18 of their last 19 trips to City’s home ground.
This weighty statistical burden originates from a 3-1 defeat in September 2007, several years before Abu Dhabi ownership transformed Manchester City. Since that time, defeat has been a constant for Newcastle on their travels to the Etihad, often accompanied by severe thrashings: 4-0 (twice in 2013 and once in 2025), 5-0 (in 2015, 2020, and 2022), and 6-1 (in 2015). Furthermore, Newcastle have failed to score away against City in their last seven encounters, with DeAndre Yedlin netting their last goal in September 2018.
Only one moment of joy punctuated this dismal period, offering a faint glimmer of hope for the Magpies fans. This came in 2014, a 2-0 victory (a scoreline that would force extra time tonight) in the EFL Cup, albeit in the fourth round. This sole encouraging precedent exists within a sea of negativity that stretches back even further. Indeed, since 1960, Newcastle have only secured two wins from their 44 visits to the Mancunians. These records are more than enough to clip the wings of the ‘Magpies’ who, despite the odds, will strive to achieve the impossible in their quest for another trophy.