Eagle-eyed fans claim Pep Guardiola told Eddie Howe that it wasn't Newcastle's usual style of play during their FA Cup meeting on Saturday evening.
Manchester City progressed to the semi-finals at Wembley after their 2-0 win over the Magpies at the Etihad, with Bernardo Silva getting both goals from deflected opportunities.
But some fans believe that the Man City boss was quick to query why Newcastle weren't their usual selves during the game, asking Howe about it at the final whistle.
Fans believe that Guardiola spoke to Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall during their post-game handshake to say: 'That's not how you usually play football'.
The Newcastle boss is seen talking to his opposite number, and embracing the words and thoughts of Guardiola, before the camera moves on.
The defeat leaves Newcastle without any silverware yet again this season, and with an uphill battle to get back into Europe as they currently sit tenth in the league.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup tie, Howe denied claims he wanted the season to end quickly, but admitted it had been a 'hugely frustrating' campaign.
He also reassured Magpies fans that he is holding his players to account behind the scenes following their 3-2 defeat to Chelsea on Monday night.
Their year has been disrupted by injury and Sandro Tonali's gambling ban, which has left them in tenth place in the league, and ejected from both cup competitions at the quarter-final stage.
Last season, they finished fourth in the Premier League, and reached the Carabao Cup final, where they lost to Manchester United at Wembley.
On Friday, Howe told reporters: 'It's been hugely frustrating. I said last year that when you went to watch Newcastle you knew what you were
Read on m.allfootballapp.com