History always works against its holders.
No team has ever reached a Carabao Cup final having conceded two or more goals at home in the first leg.
Newcastle United have only won once at the Etihad Stadium.
But the game soon departed from Eddie Howe’s side.
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Although Newcastle found former target Trafford in fine form, the visitors were easily beaten time and time again in the first half as they naively left gaps in an attempt to somehow claw their way back into the tie.
Newcastle’s midfield was bypassed multiple times and the long-legged back five struggled to deal with Omar Marmouche.
A depressed Dan Byrne – hero of the club’s Wembley win less than a year ago – sat on the turf at one point with his face in his hands after Tijani Reynders scored City’s third goal.
It summed up Newcastle’s opening 45 minutes, before gallows humor permeated the atmosphere and the away fans chanted: “We’ll win 6-5!”
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With Anthony Gordon ruled out with a hamstring injury, Howe made three more changes at half-time in an attempt to shake up his side.
Newcastle rallied duly after Anthony Elanga’s solo goal, but he also missed a sitter to help the visitors end a seven-and-a-half-year wait for a goal at the Etihad Stadium.
Wasteful Newcastle could have scored a few more goals, but this heavy aggregate defeat was not the way the defending champions wanted to hand over their long-awaited trophy.
