Manchester City moved towards the EFL Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 first-leg victory over Newcastle United, yet post-match debate centred on VAR decisions. Bernardo Silva said the controversial calls at St. James' Park overshadowed the win, even though City take a strong advantage back to Etihad Stadium for the second leg next month.
The visitors went ahead through debutant Antoine Semenyo early in the second half and later thought a third goal had stood, only for VAR and referee Chris Kavanagh to intervene. Silva felt a recurring pattern of unfavourable calls against Newcastle continued, despite another positive scoreline for Pep Guardiola's side.
Silva was clear that the performance and result pleased the squad, but the cancelled goal had a major
impact on the mood. "Happy, but it is just one leg; we have the second at home. A very good result. It should have been 3-0, but we are quite used to this at the moment," Silva told ITV Sport. "I don't know what to say, I don't want to say too much, because we know how these things work. I saw it, it looked really close to me, but it is what it is. It is so frustrating because the last time we came here, we also had a lot of decisions go against us. Even though we won, it was just frustrating to be honest. "
The disallowed effort came from a Tijjani Reijnders corner, which Semenyo flicked beyond Nick Pope, sparking initial celebrations. VAR then ordered an on-field review, and Kavanagh ruled that Erling Haaland, standing offside, interfered with Malick Thiaw's chance to defend. City players showed clear disappointment as the score remained 2-0, despite their belief the incident was marginal.
Semenyo had already delivered a major contribution by breaking the deadlock in the 53rd minute, finishing after Silva's touch on a Jeremy Doku cross. The forward, signed from Bournemouth, marked a scoring debut and gave Newcastle problems with movement and physical strength throughout. The goal rewarded City's control after a tight first half, shifting the match firmly towards Guardiola's team.
The forward's quick start also created a statistical landmark for Manchester City. Semenyo became the first player to score in both of the first two appearances for the club in all competitions since Emmanuel Adebayor achieved that feat in August 2009. Silva welcomed the addition, praising both the on-field influence and personality in the dressing room.
"He looks not just a very good player but also a very good guy, which fits right in with the team," Silva said of Semenyo's impact since signing for the club. "He is a fantastic guy who wants to help us. Hopefully, he can keep going. "
Among Premier League players across all competitions this season, only Erling Haaland with 26 goals and Igor Thiago with 17 have scored more than Semenyo's 12. The Manchester City forward also led the team in total duels contested, with 12, and aerial duels won, with two. Inside the Newcastle penalty area, only Doku, with seven touches, exceeded Semenyo's six.
These numbers underline Semenyo's influence beyond the single decisive finish at St. James' Park, adding presence in key areas. His work rate complemented Haaland and Doku in attack and gave Manchester City a direct outlet during periods of Newcastle pressure. For Guardiola, the forward's early impact provides another reliable option in a demanding schedule.
| Player | Club | Goals in 2025-26 (all competitions) |
|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 26 |
| Igor Thiago | Brentford | 17 |
| Antoine Semenyo | Manchester City | 12 |
2 - Antoine Semenyo is the first player to score in both of his first two appearances for Manchester City in all competitions since Emmanuel Adebayor in August 2009. Flying. pic.twitter.com/wIeX4oqxg3OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 13, 2026
Semenyo described the tie as demanding but felt Manchester City always believed chances would appear if discipline remained. "Tough game, but if we stuck in there, we knew we would get chances. I was in the right area to tap it in, and we were victorious, so I am happy," Semenyo added. The forward said the team's structure helped create the scoring opportunity.
The January signing also highlighted the club environment and how it helped a quick adjustment from Bournemouth. "The whole environment here is perfect. Everyone is confident and wants to achieve the best. I have come into that, and they helped with my confidence and made me feel welcome. It's been a lot, butI have enjoyed it so far. I am picking things up very quickly and enjoying it. I am just taking the confidence I had from Bournemouth here and playing with a smile on my face. "
After the final whistle, cameras caught Semenyo speaking directly into the lens, and the forward later clarified the message. "The second goal should have counted," he said. "The referee came and spoke to me and told me what was going on. It is what it is. " Those comments matched Silva's sense of irritation while acknowledging the tie remains firmly in Manchester City's favour.
Despite ongoing discussions around VAR, Manchester City leave St. James' Park with a clear EFL Cup advantage, built on Semenyo's display and strong attacking numbers. Newcastle United must overturn a two-goal deficit at Etihad Stadium, while City players expect further scrutiny of officiating decisions to continue into the second leg.
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