"The natural preference is for the home game to be the second leg, just because you have a clear understanding of what you need to do and you have the home crowd behind you, but it's not like that this time. We need to use the home crowd to our advantage in the first game and try to do everything to try and impose ourselves on the tie."
"Having also finished as runners-up in the competition under Howe in 2022-23, Newcastle have progressed from all three of their EFL Cup semi-final ties, the best 100% record in the competition's history. Meanwhile, the holders have only fallen at this stage of the competition twice before - Tottenham in 1971-72 and Blackburn Rovers in 2002-03. At this stage last term, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored to guide the Magpies to a huge 2-0 first-leg victory at the Emirates Stadium,"
Newcastle United will host Manchester City in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final as holders seeking to defend the trophy at Wembley on March 22. Newcastle progressed from all three of their EFL Cup semi-final ties, giving them a 100% record at this stage, and they reached the final under Eddie Howe in 2022-23. Last season Newcastle beat Arsenal 2-0 away and 2-0 at home in the semi-final. Recent history shows teams often benefit from playing the second leg at home. Manchester City present a distinct tactical challenge over two legs under Pep Guardiola.
Read at Soccer News
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