Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City: New signing continues impressive start to City life
Pep Guardiola feared Manchester City might stumble in this tie and he had every reason to worry. Newcastle have developed a propensity for tenacious, dogged football, especially in the cup games, and with Eddie Howe’s side prioritising cup competitions after tasting victory in this competition last season, there was every chance they could edge the Manchester contingent and make their third Carabao Cup final in four years.
A 2-0 first-leg victory for City at St James’s Park, courtesy of second-half goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki ensured there was less likelihood of that happening.
An early scare for City after Yoane Wissa failed to capitalise on Jacob Murphy’s cross was the only moment of note in an otherwise turgid affair.
In the second half there was a bit more urgency. Anthony Gordon’s cross was met by Wissa but Trafford saved brilliantly, before Bruno Guimaraes then hit the post.
Then City took the lead when Jeremy Doku beat Harvey Barnes on the left wing and sent a low cross into the box. It was touched on by Bernardo Silva and Semenyo was waiting to tap in beyond Nick Pope.
Eight minutes later, the Ghanaian was celebrating his second after acrobatically converting from a corner kick. But after an extraordinarily long video assistant referee check, the goal was ruled out because Erling Haaland was adjudged to be offside and interfering with play.
There are very many of City persuasion who would seriously argue the decision, but Newcastle had been given a reprieve. Howe tried to capitalise, bringing on Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade and Sandro Tonali and pressing hard for an equaliser. The game was beginning to get away from them when Cherki turned home from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cutback.
