Newcastle United's hopes of retaining the Carabao Cup hang by a thread after a 2-0 first-leg semi-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Goals from Antoine Semenyo and a late Rayan Cherki strike have handed Pep Guardiola's side a formidable advantage heading back to the Etihad Stadium in three weeks.
A Mountain to Climb for Magpies
The scale of Newcastle's task in the second leg is monumental. To stand any chance of reaching Wembley and defending the trophy they won last season, Eddie Howe's team must achieve two things they have never managed at the Etihad under his leadership: score a goal and win a game. Their recent record there is dire, with five visits under Howe resulting in five defeats and a cumulative score of 14-0 against.
No Newcastle manager has won at the Etihad in over a decade, meaning a performance of a lifetime will be required to overturn this deficit. The Magpies will need to channel the spirit of their victory over Liverpool in last season's final, though the manner of this defeat makes that prospect seem a distant hope.
Controversy and City Control
The match was not without pre-match controversy. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was left surprised and frustrated to learn that City's new signing, Antoine Semenyo, was eligible to play due to a recent EFL rule change, meaning he was not cup-tied. That twist of fate felt scripted when it was Semenyo who broke the deadlock early in the second half.
However, the game's standout performer was Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger was a constant menace down City's left flank, repeatedly weaving through Newcastle's defence. It was his dangerous driven cross in the 53rd minute that Bernardo Silva helped into the path of Semenyo, who stole a yard on Anthony Gordon to turn the ball home at the far post.
Newcastle had their moments, most notably when Bruno Guimaraes struck the post from 20 yards shortly after the restart. But City's control grew, and they put the tie firmly in their grasp deep into stoppage time. Substitute Rayan Cherki swept home from close range in the 98th minute, prompting animated celebrations from Pep Guardiola on the touchline.
Guardiola's Silverware Chase Continues
For Pep Guardiola, this competition may rank as the least coveted of the four trophies still available to Manchester City this season, but it represents the most immediate chance for silverware. With speculation about his future at the club, lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley in March could act as a catalyst, restoring a sense of inevitability to City's campaign and fuelling belief for the challenges ahead in May.
For Newcastle, the priority was clear, with Howe resting key players like Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton in the FA Cup to prepare for this tie. Despite a bright start and a white-hot atmosphere at St James' Park, they could not find a crucial away goal. The hard work, it seems, has already been done by Manchester City, who are now strong favourites to book their place at Wembley.
