So that is the end of the annual can Manchester City win the quadruple debate, a conversation swiftly, decisively and quite brilliantly finished by Newcastle United.
City are out of the Carabao Cup. There is at least one trophy the rest of English football can fight it out for amongst themselves. Newcastle will fancy taking on anyone after this.
This was a statement victory for Eddie Howe, his first as manager against Pep Guardiola and a triumph for his tactical intelligence.
Dare you say it, he fooled the great Spaniard, totally changing approach at half time, shifting from passive to aggressive with the flick of an invisible switch at the start of the second half. It stunned City’s players and out foxed Pep, who lost his call amid the St James’ Park din as his side lost control of the tie.
Newcastle deserved their win, City did not even force a save from goalkeeper Nick Pope after Alexander Isak had given the Magpies the home side the lead in a scintillating start to the second half.
It was a strange, hybrid sort of team from Howe. In defence, there was a centre back pairing of Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles, who last played regularly together in the Championship promotion winning campaign of 2016.
There was a first competitive start for the 17-year-old Lewis Miley in midfield and there were also full debuts for 20-year-old Tino Livramento and 19-year-old Lewis Hall following their summer moves from Southampton and Chelsea.
But of the ten changes from the team that beat Sheffield United 8-0 last weekend, it also included the two most expensive signings in the club’s history in Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak, as well as a fit again Joelinton.
Manchester City were in a similar position, the £100m Jack Grealish starting along with England international Kalvin Phillips and superstar summer arrival Josko Gvardiol at centre back. Albeit with Academy graduates Oscar Bobb and Rico Lewis. City do not really do weakened teams, they just change things around.
And so we got what we always seem to get watching Guardiola’s side. Newcastle tried to contain and play on the counter and look for set pieces in and around the area. City dominated possession, patient, prodding and probing for a way through the opposition.
Moving the ball from side to side, quick one touch passing as Newcastle ran around after it. City controlled the game, but could not find a way to get a shot away inside the area.
Indeed, despite the contrasting styles, both teams managed one clear chance and one shot apiece in the first half.
Nick Pope saved with his feet to deny Julian Alvarez and Stefan Ortega denied Jacob Murphy from a similar position.
It was a question of who would go all out for the win first? Howe blinked, sending on Anthony Gordon for Hall and Bruno Guimaraes for Miley. The impact was immediate. Newcastle suddenly packed a punch. St James’ Park found its voice. Every tackle was roared. Passive in the first half, the Magpies were transformed, activating their swarm press, roughing up and rattling City.
The visitors were suddenly unsure and they were soon trailing. A lovely pass from Lascelles taken on the half turn by Murpby, the ball moved on to Joelinton, who drove into the area, before whipping the ball back across goal for Isak to tap home at the far post.
For the first time this season - possibly months - City looked genuinely uncomfortable. They did not seem to know how to cope with Newcastle’s shift in style. Passes went astray, Guardiola was booked, straying into Newcastle’s technical area during an argument with a bemused looking Jason Tindall.
