Manchester City traveled north with confidence and returned with a strong foothold in the Carabao Cup semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Newcastle, powered by an eye-catching performance from Antoine Semenyo.
The winger, already making headlines with his goals at his new club, struck again, scoring just eight minutes after the second half kicked off.
Substitute Rayan Cherki later sealed the win with a brilliant stoppage-time finish, giving the eight-time champions a solid lead ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium on February 4.
Controversy Strikes as Semenyo Denied Second Goal
City might have been even further ahead if not for a controversial VAR decision that ruled out Semenyo’s second strike.
The goal, which would have doubled the lead, was disallowed, leaving fans debating the fine margins that could influence the return leg.
Despite this, Newcastle failed to capitalize on the opportunity to grab an away goal, falling short in both finishing and resilience on the night.
Squad Depth Tested by Injuries
Both managers made several changes, reflecting the strength of their squads despite injury concerns.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe opted for seven changes from the side that narrowly beat Bournemouth in the FA Cup, while Pep Guardiola rotated five players after City’s dominant 10-1 FA Cup win over Exeter earlier in the weekend.
The rotation showcased the depth available to both teams, setting the stage for an intriguing semi-final clash.
Early Threats and City’s Response
Newcastle started the match brightly, with Anthony Gordon teeing up Jacob Murphy early on.
Murphy’s cross found Yoane Wissa, but his left-footed effort sailed harmlessly over James Trafford’s crossbar.
City responded quickly, with wide players Jeremy Doku and Semenyo pinning Newcastle deep and limiting their space.
Bernardo Silva’s early cross required Nick Pope to intervene to keep Erling Haaland from tapping home.
Physical Battle in Midfield
The match grew increasingly physical, with Joelinton and Nico O’Reilly picking up bookings after a minor altercation off the ball.
Matheus Nunes also received a yellow for a challenge on Gordon.
Despite the intensity, the first half ended goalless, with both goalkeepers largely untested.
City Break the Deadlock
The second half saw Newcastle create a brief scare when Wissa’s looping header was tipped over by Trafford, and Bruno Guimaraes hit the post on the rebound.
But City took the lead in the 53rd minute when Silva cleverly redirected Doku’s cross to Semenyo, who poked the ball into the net from close range.
Newcastle’s Rally Falls Short
Newcastle pressed for an equalizer, with Guimaraes’ shot blocked and Sven Botman heading straight at Trafford from a corner.
Semenyo seemed to double the lead in the 63rd minute with a flicked finish from Tijjani Reijnders’ corner, but VAR ruled it out for offside against Haaland, adding another twist to an already tense game.
Cherki’s Late Magic Seals the Win
As Newcastle searched for a breakthrough, Sandro Tonali’s attempt drifted wide, leaving the Magpies frustrated.
City’s persistence paid off in the ninth minute of stoppage time when Cherki combined with fellow substitute Rayan Ait-Nouri before calmly slotting the ball past Pope, securing a crucial 2-0 advantage for the first leg.
What’s Next?
With the tie finely poised, all eyes now turn to the Etihad Stadium on February 4, where City will aim to defend their lead and Newcastle will look to overturn the deficit.
The second leg promises more drama, high stakes, and, potentially, more controversy.
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