Newcastle 1-3 Man City: The FA Cup gives the Magpies a stark reminder of the gap to the top

However, it could have been very different.

Newcastle may have been feeling the effects of playing with ten men for too long in a spirited midweek win over Manchester United.

But Newcastle began the fifth-round tie as a team that recognized that the FA Cup was not just their best chance of winning silverware this season.

It was also their most obvious route back to Europe at a time when Howe’s side sit 12th in the Premier League.

Newcastle quickly brought the fans into the match with their energy and determination.

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford and defender Matthews Nunes uncharacteristically took the ball out of play while the home side pressed high.

Perhaps most importantly, Newcastle scored the opening goal when Harvey Barnes fired his side in front with a brilliant effort.

It sounded like a familiar script to Guardiola, who had previously watched Barnes score twice in a 2-1 win over his side at this very stadium in November.

“The first 15 or 20 minutes always happen,” he said. “We’re talking about it. We couldn’t control it.”

As the visitors advanced, Newcastle fell deeper and were unable to get out of their own half.

The Magpies were restricted by City, who dominated possession and frequently played into the home team’s midfield.

“The way they played and how technically good they were, they controlled the ball very much,” Howe said.

“When we got it back, we gave up on it easily, it probably looked too vertical and not horizontal enough at times.

“Once you make a technical foul, you don’t see the ball for long periods and then your energy drains. That’s why they were the best team for a long time.”