Newcastle’s secret note that reveals how the Man City game was lost as boss Eddie Howe admits ‘it’s cost us’

A SECRET note has been revealed which explains how Newcastle lost 3-2 to Manchester City at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Eddie Howe admitted that he had planned to substitute Bruno Guimaraes for Jamaal Lascelles, but he changed his mind and it “cost” his team. 

The first half of the clash against Man City saw the Magpies take a 2-1 lead after Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon’s strikes.

However, it was the second 45 where it turned into chaos for Howe’s side.

And reporter Mark Douglas from Inews noticed a stack of white cards in the Newcastle dugout which could have prevented Man City’s comeback

These cards are filled in and handed to the fourth official before making a substitution.

But Douglas noticed one card had something written on it.

The card had Bruno Guimaraes’ number 39 and captain Jamaal Lascelles’ number six scrawled on it.

Howe was desperate for the change and despite Guimaraes struggling with hamstring pain the boss ultimately opted against the making the substitution.

After the game, the Magpies manager regretted his decision and said: “I’m in a difficult position where I’m thinking ‘Do I bring a defender on?’, because that’s generally viewed as a negative move.

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“It’s generally a negative move when you take off an attacking player, and I didn’t really want to do that.

“I wanted to keep Miggy Almiron, Alex Isak and Anthony Gordon on the pitch because of what they delivered for the majority of the game.

“I think if we drew and saw the last three minutes out, then it’s probably not talked about as much. But unfortunately, it’s cost us.”

This decision would have been pivotal for Newcastle who could have secured a win but instead, Manchester City took all three points.

Kevin De Bruyne who returned after four months was subbed on by Pep Guardiola in the 69th minute.

And the maestro midfielder wasted no time to return to his old form after levelling out the scoreline five minutes later.

Then to finish things off for the reigning champs Oscar Bobb’s strike in the dying minutes of the game sealed the victory for City.

Newcastle now sit 10th in the Premier League and 11 points from fourth.

Their hopes of Champions League football in 2024-25 seem farfetched and reaching the Europa League looks difficult.

With the club increasingly vocal on the challenge posed by Financial Fair Play rules this has been a sobering winter for Newcastle.

Howe is powerless and likely to cash in on his star players if he wants to sign anyone this month.

Kalvin Phillips, who spent the match sitting on the opponent’s bench, is a player Newcastle are keen on.

And their miserable defeat on Saturday showed just how much they need a midfielder like Phillips at St James’s Park.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk