NO wonder Manchester City fans affectionately refer to Wembley as the Etihad South.
Their team will play in the Carabao Cup final next month – and it will be their 32nd visit there since 2011.
Since that famous Yaya Toure winner against United in the FA Cup semi-final almost 16 years ago, they have been to the famous North London venue at least once a season.
They will continue that incredible sequence this year after booking their ticket for a showdown with Arsenal with the minimum of fuss.
Two first half goals from Omar Marmoush – who loves scoring against Newcastle and another from Tijjani Reijnders – put the tie to bed within 32 minutes.
And it meant the Toon meekly surrendered the trophy they had waited 70 years for.
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Mind you, their 5000 fans would not have made the journey down from the North East with much hope.
Just mentioning the Etihad is enough to send a shiver down the spine of Geordies everywhere.
The Toon’s last victory here was more than 11 years ago – in October 2014 – although it did come in this competition.
But even that was their only win here since 2003 so the scale of the task they faced was clear.
They had never even scored here under Eddie Howe before this – at least they put that unwanted record to bed.
Maybe that will give them a little bit more optimism when they return here again for a Prem game in 10 days time.
They won’t be sad to see the back of Pep Guardiola, that’s for sure.
If this is to be the Catalan’s last season at City – and the rumours refuse to go away – he will want to go out with some silverware.
And they have a chance of doing just that on March 22 – which will be the 22nd time he has taken charge of them at Wembley.
Given the up and down nature of their recent form, there might have been some nerves about defending a two goal lead from the first leg – but they were soon blown away.
Marmoush got in behind the Toon defence but Dan Burn got back and looked ot have saved the day again with a last ditch tackle.
However the ball bounced onto the Egyptian forward and somewhat fortunately looped over Aaron Ramsdale to give the home side the lead.
The former Eintracht Franfurt striker has had a mixed year at the Etihad but loves playing against the Geordies – he got a hat-trick against them here last February.
It was just the start City wanted – although Newcastle could have breathed new life into things moments later.
Joe Willock had a clear signt of goal but dallied too long and James Trafford got down to make a decent save and then gobbled up the loose ball.
A nicely worked City move saw TIjjani Reijnders find space on the left but flashed his shot across the face of goal.
The home side looked to be a threat every time they went forward – although the visitors had their monents on the break.
Anthony Gordon thought he was in after good work by Joe Willock and Dan Burn but again Trafford got out quickly to save.
The England keeper looked to be destined for St James’ Park last summer before City nipped in to sign him. He was certainly showing his quality here.
After Kieran Trippier saw a free-kick saved by the keeper he got rid of it quickly to launch an attack.
Semenyo’s cross shot was cleared off his own line by Trippier but it dropped onto the head of Marmoush who nodded in from close range.
The forward must wish he could play against the Toon every week.
If there was any lingering doubt the tie was over, City snuffed that out three minutes later.
Howe’s men were wide open again as Reijnders played in Semenyo and although his run was stopped, it dropped kindly for the Dutchman to slide home number three.
A disastrous first half for the visitors got even worse as Gordon hobbled off and had to be replaced by Harvey Barnes.
They could have got one back as Nick Woltemade flicked on Sven Botman whose header was brilliantly kept out by Trafford.
So they ended the half five goals adrift.
City’s second half performances have been poor recently – but not THAT poor.
Once again their was a drop off and sub Yoane Wissa raced clear early in the second half but got his finish all wrong and put it well wide.
They did get one back as another half time substitute Anthony Elanga cut in and curled a shot around Trafford into the corner.
That was the Toon’s first goal here in over seven years and they could have had another as Elanga slid another effort wide after a superb low cross from Harvey Barnes.
This was the 15th anniversary of the most famous comeback in Prem history – when Newcastle recovered from 4-0 down to force a draw against Arsenal.
This time there was to be no miracle reprieve as both Marmoush and sub Erling Haaland missed late chances to add to the home side’s tally.
‘Wembley again’ sang the home fans as the minutes ticked down. They will not need reminding of the route.
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