Newcastle player ‘deserves an Oscar’ after loss vs Man City: ‘He’s pretending to be a footballer’

Newcastle United were demolished 3-1 away at Manchester City in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

Eddie Howe’s side were already facing a two-goal deficit after they were beaten at St James’ Park in the first leg, and they quickly had the tie taken away from them at the Etihad Stadium by Pep Guardiola’s men.

Omar Marmoush was linked with an exit from Manchester City throughout the January transfer window, but he was on hand to net an early double from close range to set his team on their way to Wembley.

Tijani Reinders added a third before the half-time interval to inflict further punishment on their visitors, who saw their inconsistent campaign take another frustrating twist, despite Anthony Elanga’s first goal for the club in the second half.

Newcastle fans destroy Joe Willock after missed chance

Football Insider previously revealed that Joe Willock was open to leaving Newcastle in the January window, but he has remained in Howe’s squad after the recent deadline, despite a late bid from Fulham.

However, Magpies fans already appear to be hoping that the offer from their Premier League rivals had been accepted.

Willock has had the fanbase on his back for large portions of the season so far, but Howe gave him the nod to start in the centre of midfield for the all-important second leg.

The former Arsenal man spurned a golden opportunity to level the game at 1-1 in the eighth minute, but he failed to take the ball around James Trafford, rather than slotting his finish past him first-time.

It was a moment that prompted the Newcastle fans to erupt at the 26-year-old on X, with one supporter suggesting that he “deserves an Oscar for pretending to be a footballer,” while another was left in disbelief that his club still pay him.

Another fan labelled Willock as “£25million down the drain” in a mocking reference to the popular chant on the terraces.

• @FGE7__: “Willock should not be at the club.”
• @Owen_Atherton: “Pathetic from Willock, that would have been monumental for momentum after conceding so poorly as quickly.”
• @HyunTak_: “Willock what you just missed is unforgivable.”

James Trafford superb for Man City amid horrible Newcastle finishing

Trafford almost left Man City in the winter window, and he was influential in his team’s commanding victory on Wednesday.

Despite the hosts’ dominance throughout proceedings, the visitors arguably had the better of the clear-cut chances, as Willock, Anthony Gordon and Yoane Wissa all missed one-on-one opportunities.

Willock was part of a horrific effort in front of goal from Howe’s men, who will surely live to regret their lack of composure in the final third on their travels back to the North East.

Howe is under serious pressure from the fans amid a season that has never really got going, and the crushing defeat in midweek has only heightened the scrutiny on his position.

Had Willock levelled the game in the early stages when he had the chance, then it could have been a totally different story at the Etihad.

The post Newcastle player ‘deserves an Oscar’ after loss vs Man City: ‘He’s pretending to be a footballer’ appeared first on Football Insider.