'Newcastle have to take chances' - Anderson

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says that the Magpies' failure to be ruthless in front of goal has given them "a mountain to climb" in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

The visitors seized the advantage at St James' Park on Tuesday, with new signing Antoine Semenyo hitting the opener in the first-leg tie.

Newcastle were given a reprieve by VAR when Semenyo's second goal was ruled out for an offside, but a late goal by Rayan Cherki gave Newcastle a two-goal cushion to overcome in the second leg at the Etihad on 4 February.

Anderson says Cherki's goal exemplifies the difference between the two sides.

"We had one or two moments but the second goal sums it up, the quality that they have, the move that led to that was one-touch football - a little flick in behind, pull back, good finish," Anderson said.

"Going to the Etihad 1-0 down was always going to be difficult, going there 2-0 down gives us a mountain to climb.

"Can you see us going there and keeping a clean sheet?"

Anderson is not convinced that Newcastle are getting enough return on their chances to score, currently.

With the game goalless and just the goalkeeper to beat, Yoane Wissa sent the ball over the bar early in the first leg before Bruno Guimaraes hit the post in the second half.

"I said before the game kicked off that Manchester City will give you opportunities," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"But you've got to take them because if you give them chances, they will punish you - that's what they did to us.

"They took their chances, we didn't take ours."

You can listen to more of John Anderson's analysis of the first leg tie on BBC Radio Newcastle.