Pep Guardiola has admitted to the Manchester Evening News that Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll was a real threat to his side yesterday.
Newcastle ended up losing 2-0 to City, and they posed very little attacking threat throughout the match.
It was Carroll who was selected to lead the line for the Magpies.
And when Guardiola realised the England international was in Steve Bruce’s side’s starting line-up he had a warning for his defenders.
“It is not easy because Andy Carroll is incredibly strong in the long balls, the headers,” Guardiola said.
“I said to them if you want to fight, then try to win but if you lose because they want the position then don’t worry. The important thing is to keep him far away from the 18-yard box and we did it.”
Carroll has only received limited game time at Newcastle this term due to injury, but he did make his presence known yesterday.
Despite being isolated at times the Newcastle front-man still used his aerial presence well to unsettle City’s defenders.
Ultimately though, it wasn’t enough, as Guardiola’s men comfortably won 2-0.
City scored through Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling as they progressed to the semi-finals and extended Newcastle’s wait for silverware by another year.
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