City Silence St James’ Park
Pep Guardiola’s side produced a professional display of finishing to seize control of the tie. In the first leg of this Manchester City vs Newcastle Carabao Cup semi-final, the holders were undone by clinical finishing and their own wastefulness. City emerged 2-0 winners thanks to goals from £62.5m signing Antoine Semenyo and a late stunner from Rayan Cherki, ensuring they defend a healthy lead when the sides reconvene on February 4.
Clinical vs Wasteful
Newcastle began brightly but lacked composure. Yoane Wissa missed a glorious early chance, slicing over from close range, while James Trafford produced a vital save to deny a looping header from the same player later in the game.
City punished those misses ruthlessly.
- Eight minutes after halftime, Bernardo Silva set up Antoine Semenyo, who stabbed home his second goal in two games.
- Semenyo thought he had doubled the lead shortly after, but a lengthy VAR review ruled it out for offside against Erling Haaland.
- Deep in stoppage time, substitute Rayan Cherki combined with Rayan Ait-Nouri before slotting past Nick Pope to silence the home crowd.
Advantage Guardiola
Despite injuries forcing changes for both managers, City’s squad depth proved superior. Nova Sports News notes that while Newcastle showed endeavor, they failed to be stubborn enough defensively or clinical enough offensively. Guardiola’s men now return to Manchester with a significant 2-0 cushion, leaving Eddie Howe with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
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