Goals
- Goal: Antoine Semenyo – 53′ – Manchester City
- Goal: Rayan Cherki – 90+8′ – Manchester City
Manchester City moved a significant step closer to another Wembley appearance with a composed 2-0 win over Newcastle United in a hard-fought Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at St James’ Park. A disciplined display, punctuated by clinical finishing from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki, leaves the holders facing an uphill task in the return fixture.
City controlled long spells of possession in the opening period, yet the first clear opportunity belonged to Newcastle. Yoane Wissa burst through after a rapid counter and fired over from close range, a miss that would soon feel pivotal. Later, Wissa’s looping header was superbly tipped away by James Trafford before Bruno Guimarães struck the post from the edge of the area as the hosts briefly seized momentum.
The breakthrough arrived on 53 minutes. Jeremy Doku drove down the left and delivered a low cross that Bernardo Silva deftly helped into Semenyo’s path. The forward reacted sharply, guiding the ball home from close range for the opening goal and continuing his outstanding start to life at City. “I was in the right area and we were victorious, so I am happy,” he said afterwards.
Semenyo later had another effort ruled out following an extended VAR review for offside in the build-up involving Erling Haaland, a decision that intensified the atmosphere and seemed to galvanise both sides. Newcastle pressed for an equaliser, with substitute Sandro Tonali flashing a shot narrowly wide and sustained pressure testing City’s defensive resolve.
As the match moved deep into added time, City struck again. A swift move down the left culminated in Aït-Nouri’s precise cut-back and Rayan Cherki swept in the second on 90+8 minutes, giving Pep Guardiola’s team a commanding two-goal cushion heading into the second leg.
Statistically, City’s control told the story: superior possession, greater territorial dominance and sharper efficiency in the decisive moments. Semenyo now has two goals in two games for his new club across competitions, underlining the “powerful, quick and strong” profile he used to describe himself, and signalling his impact on City’s attacking options. Only brief frustration over the VAR intervention interrupted an otherwise authoritative away performance.
Newcastle must now overturn the deficit in Manchester, where their recent record has been difficult. As injured defender Dan Burn observed, “It’s only half-time. We still believe we can go there and get a result.” The holders will require precisely that, with City already looking firmly positioned for a place in the final.
