Manchester City cruised into the Carabao Cup final with a comprehensive victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium, setting up a Wembley showdown with Arsenal. Goals from Omar Marmoush (two) and Tijjani Reijnders secured a 3-1 win on the night, making it 5-1 on aggregate, as Pep Guardiola's side booked a 22nd trip to Wembley under his tenure.
The hosts took the lead in the seventh minute when Marmoush's shot looped over Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after a ricochet off Dan Burn. Reijnders doubled the lead in the 29th minute, tapping in after Burn and Kieran Trippier defensive errors. Marmoush added his second three minutes later, heading in from Antoine Semenyo's cross. Anthony Elanga pulled one back for Newcastle in the second half, but it was merely a consolation.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed frustration at his side's defensive lapses, noting that a more ruthless approach could have changed the outcome. The Magpies had chances, with Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon testing City goalkeeper James Trafford, but their defensive errors proved costly. Guardiola made four changes from the first leg, leaving Erling Haaland on the bench, while Phil Foden started for the first time in four games.
The final against Arsenal promises to be a tense affair, with Guardiola and former assistant Mikel Arteta at the centre of a recent war of words. Arteta claimed he had 'all the information' on City after they criticised Arsenal's 'dark arts' tactics during a 2-2 draw last season. The match is scheduled for mid-March at Wembley.
