The unseen moment that showed Newcastle’s issue with Nick Woltemade, the surprise answer to Eddie Howe’s attacking woes – and the star in desperate need of a rest after Man City drubbing, writes CRAIG HOPE

Newcastle’s defence of the Carabao Cup is over – and they were as good as returning the trophy to EFL HQ after seven minutes of this second leg.

Training 2-0 from the opening tie at St James’ Park, Eddie Howe set up with a 5-3-2 system designed to keep it tight and play on the break.

As it was, City profited from three lightening quick counters of their own before half-time and led 3-0 inside 32 minutes. Anthony Elanga responded with a consolation in the second half, but from the moment Ormar Marmoush opened the scoring in the seventh minute, the contest was done.

Howe said: ‘The first goal was going to be crucial. I’m really annoyed with the first-half display. We pride ourselves on being really organised. Tactically we want to be able to handle any problem the opposition give us. But individually we were off. It was not good enough. We didn’t win our duels.’

So, where did it all go wrong for Newcastle, and were there any positives? Our chief football reporter, Craig Hope, was at the Etihad Stadium to return his verdict…

Eddie Howe’s side were comfortably beaten 5-1 on aggregate after losing 3-1 in the second leg

Woltemade the missing piece for somebody else’s jigsaw

There were 20 minutes on the clock when Newcastle coach Graeme Jones screamed at Nick Woltemade from the touchline. The instruction was clear – play higher up the pitch. Moments earlier, there was a vignette that served to highlight the issue Newcastle have with Woltemade as their No.9.

Joe Willock had the ball just past halfway and there was an ocean of green for him to hit in behind City’s high backline. Woltemade, though, wanted the ball short in front of the defenders. It is not the German’s fault – he is not that type of player – but the absence of pace preying on the shoulder of the opposition has slowed Newcastle’s progress all season.

Woltemade was taken off at half-time after zero efforts on goal and just 11 touches, none of which were in the penalty area. It is a phrase I have used since the start of the campaign and will continue to do so – Woltemade is a good player, but he is the missing piece in the puzzle for somebody else’s jigsaw.

Nick Woltemade’s presence as the No.9 remains an issue despite his ability, as Newcastle continue to lack pace on the shoulder of the the opposition defenders

Gordon injury a big worry as Wissa struggles

Woltemade’s replacement, Yoane Wissa, is struggling for a different reason. It needed less than 60 seconds of the second half to lay bare his lack of fitness and, by extension, faith in his body. He was sent clear on goal but never looked to be moving cleanly and his finish was even scruffier, sliced a good – or very bad – five yards wide. After missing the first three months of the season with a knee injury, he just cannot find any rhythm. Judgement should be reserved until the 29-year-old enjoys a full pre-season.

But, given the concerns around Woltemade and Wissa, it probably means that the best option at centre forward is Anthony Gordon. If only he hadn’t been forced off before half-time with a hamstring injury, which the club will assess in the next 24 hours.

Maybe the answer is Will Osula, who came on for the final 15 minutes here. The problem is, the Dane would rather have moved on in January. That hardly lends itself to a motivated player. They must hope Gordon’s injury is not serious, but Howe admitted it was a ‘big worry’.

Yoane Wissa continues to struggle for fitness and rhythm following his lengthy injury lay-off

Anthony Gordon’s hamstring injury will be a major concern, as he appears Newcastle’s best option as a centre forward currently 

Time to give Thiaw a breather 

Malick Thiaw was outstanding for three months after making his debut in September. But after playing just about every minute since, he looks tired and in desperate need of a break. That much was evident by the manner in which City played around him for Marmoush’s opener.

Credit to the German, he saw out the 90 minutes, but now feels like the time to give him a breather. Newcastle risk knocking the confidence of a centre back who looked made for the Premier League during his introduction.

Malick Thiaw was outstanding for three months after making his debut, but now looks in need of a breather

Guardiola’s Tonali embrace worth noting 

The (non) story of deadline day around Newcastle were reports of Arsenal making an approach for Sandro Tonali. They did not, but the emergence of such noise did feel like the start of whispers that will only grow louder the closer we get to summer.

So, to see Pep Guardiola make for Tonali on full-time and engage in a minute-long conversation, before the embrace of a hug, was certainly worth noting. City are among the small pool of clubs who could afford the Italian’s transfer fee and wages, and Guardiola has history for flirting with players he admires.

Of the exchange, the City boss said: ‘My Italian is perfect, so that’s why I can communicate with him. We have a friend in common in Brescia. Every time we are connected all three, through him. I know his father a long time ago. All the time we met we talk about AC Milan, the supporters & how happy he is here in Newcastle. He’s a really top, top player. A top player.’

Guardiola, who has a history for flirting with players had admires, had a post-match chat with Sandro Tonali

Can consolation spark Elanga turnaround?

Finally, the positive. Anthony Elanga came from the bench to score for the first time in 32 matches since his £55m arrival from Nottingham Forest. 

It was a good goal, too, going by three defenders before curling into the bottom corner. 

He missed a chance from six yards soon after, a reminder of his prior struggles. 

But Howe must hope that the breakthrough goal can spark a turnaround in his Newcastle career, which has so far been a disappointment