Omar Marmoush haunted Newcastle United once again as Manchester City came from behind to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had described the prospect of going to a febrile St James’ Park as a “nightmare”, and it certainly felt like one for the visitors after Harvey Barnes fired Newcastle in front.
But much-changed Manchester City showed their powers of recovery to respond through Savinho and a fine double from Marmoush, who has now scored seven goals against Newcastle in just six games.
Having knocked holders Newcastle out of the Carabao Cup last month, Manchester City have ended Eddie Howe’s side’s dream of returning to Wembley through the FA Cup.
But it was Newcastle who started this fifth-round tie with real intent and Nick Woltemade saw a header cleared off the line by Nico Gonzalez before the hosts found a way through.
Barnes beat the offside trap to latch on to Sandro Tonali’s through ball before taking a touch inside on to his favoured right foot and unleashing a clinical curling effort into the far corner to take the roof off the stadium.
The goal merely awakened Manchester City, though, as the visitors pinned Newcastle back and Guardiola’s team drew level following a sustained period of pressure.
Jeremy Doku’s drilled cross from the left went all the way through to the unmarked Savinho at the back post, and the ball ended up striking the knee of the Manchester City forward and bobbling over the line.
Stunned Newcastle sorely needed to regroup at half-time, but Manchester City merely picked up from where they left off after the break and took the lead in familiar fashion.
This time Matheus Nunes cut the ball across from the right and there was Marmoush at the far post to lash home after taking a cool touch.
Marmoush grabbed another just a few minutes later after unleashing a rocket from just outside the box, which left Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with no chance.
Manchester City, in the process, reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for an eighth successive season.
