Manchester City have placed one foot in the Carabao Cup final after a professional 2-0 victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park last night. In a fixture that often tests the mettle of visiting sides, Pep Guardiola’s men delivered a calculated performance, underlined by the brilliance of their recruitment team.
The spotlight was firmly on Antoine Semenyo, City’s latest January acquisition, who is fast becoming the signing of the season. Making only his second appearance for the club, the forward broke the deadlock to silence the Geordie crowd. Semenyo’s seamless adaptation to Guardiola’s system is already paying dividends, validating the manager’s push for his signature in the winter window.
While the new boy set the tone, it was a familiar face who sealed the deal. Rayan Cherki, last summer’s creative addition, doubled the lead in the last minute to seal the deal, showcasing the depth of talent at Guardiola’s disposal. The 2-0 cushion puts the Cityzens in a commanding position ahead of the return leg.
What’s Next?
City will welcome the Magpies to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg on February 4, 2026 three weeks from now where they will look to book their place at Wembley.
Meanwhile, all eyes turn to London tonight for the other semi-final clash. Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in a tantalizing first-leg derby, with both sides eager to join City in the season’s first major domestic final.
