Manchester City took control of the Carabao Cup semi-final matchup against the Magpies with a 2-0 win over holders Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.
After a tight first half, recently-acquired
Antoine Semenyo broke the deadlock for City in the 53rd minute, finishing from close range after Jeremy Doku’s cross and a Bernardo Silva touch.
Semenyo, who was eligible to play due to a recent rule change despite featuring for Bournemouth earlier in the competition, proved to be the difference.
City appeared to double their lead when Semenyo once again put the ball in off a corner, but VAR intervened for a lengthy review and ultimately ruled the goal out for offside, citing Erling Haaland’s interference with Nick Pope.
The incident, which resulted in a six-minute delay of the game, drew heavy criticism for the subjective nature of the call in yet another VAR controversy. Alas.
Newcastle created several big chances before and after falling behind, with Yoane Wissa wasting a golden opportunity early and later seeing a header put away by goalie James Trafford.
Bruno Guimaraes also struck the post, and Sven Botman saw a header saved, but the hosts lacked clinical edge in front of goal and paid for it.
As Newcastle chased an equaliser late on, substitute Rayan Cherki combined with Rayan Ait-Nouri to score City’s second in stoppage time, leaving Eddie Howe’s side with a mountain to climb in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium—where they have yet to score during Howe’s tenure.
“It’s a body blow but not fatal at the moment. We’re still in there fighting,” Howe said after the game. “The lads gave everything under difficult circumstances after the extra time on Saturday, and there was a bit of fatigue in our performance, but I can’t fault the players.”
Newcastle’s record in Manchester is dire at best, lower-level-club-type at worst, and their Cup defense is in more than serious jeopardy as it’s highly improbable they beat City, let alone by two goals, on their own turf.
Newcastle, for now, will return to Premier League action on Sunday, Jan. 18, when the Geordies will face Wolverhampton.
