Newcastle United set off for Dubai to sample sunnier climes after their hopes of a trophy evaporated in the Manchester rain.
The result was no surprise and while the Magpies avoided any embarrassment at the Etihad Stadium by avoiding a drubbing the defeat still leaves both Eddie Howe and his players open to question as their season threatens to fizzle out.
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Big reaction needed in Newcastle United's two home games against West Ham and Everton
It feels like a long wait now for the Magpies until their next game against the Hammers on March 30 back at St James' Park. A clash against Everton a few days later and both games now feel like must win affairs.
Newcastle will spend the international break in 10th place in the Premier League table and are three points behind West Ham before their clash against Aston Villa. So the black and whites should not need to be told that their season is in danger of collapse without three points.
Some fans have already written off hopes and feel a reset will be needed in the summer. Howe dismissed that after the game saying that such claims were "nonsense" but there is not much room for error and the fine form Newcastle showed on their return from Dubai last season is badly needed again.
Sven Botman becomes latest injury concern
The Dutchman looked below par against City and his facial expressions were worrying as he grimaced throughout the night. Howe took him off with half an hour to go after a tormenting evening for the Holland international.
As Botman was taken off he headed straight down the tunnel with a knee problem and will face assessment in Dubai. In a season in which he has already avoided surgery for an ACL, you wonder if a decision to get the issue resolved permanently will be taken in the next two weeks.
Howe said: "I saw that he was getting treatment in the box from the corner it looked like a problem with his knee so we will assess that."
Tino Livramento absence explained as star missed City encounter
The full-back had just got his chance in his preferred position after an injury problem for Kieran Trippier a couple of weeks ago. But Livramento was the surprise omission from the team sheet on Saturday night.
After the game Howe said he had suffered an ankle injury but the problem is not thought to be serious. Rest and recuperation means he should be back for the clash against West Ham.
Howe said: "It was a twist of the ankle against Chelsea. We probably knew on the day after the game that he wasn’t going to make this weekend. I don’t think it’s serious, and we hope he’ll be back for the next match (against West Ham)."
