Manchester City left Newcastle with a meaningful advantage, a 2–0 win in the Carabao Cup semifinal in a match that wasn’t flashy but was smart, controlled and decided in the details. Away from home, in a hostile setting and after a cagey first half, Pep Guardiola’s team knew when to wait and when to step on the gas. They were efficient when the chance came and showed why they remain competitive even when they’re not at their best. The result allows City to lose by one goal in the return leg on February 2 in Manchester and completely reshapes the outlook of the tie.
The game turned when City started occupying the box
The opening half was balanced, with few clear chances. Newcastle stayed compact and managed to take pace out of City’s play, which held possession but found very little space. That picture changed after the break. With greater attacking presence and better use of the wide channels, City began to push the hosts deeper. Seven minutes in, Doku crossed from the left, Bernardo Silva got a touch and Antoine Semenyo showed up exactly where a forward is supposed to be, inside the six-yard box, to open the scoring.
Semenyo found the net again from a corner kick soon after, but the goal was ruled out following a lengthy VAR review. A razor-thin offside on Haaland was judged to have interfered with the defensive play. The decision frustrated City and briefly gave Newcastle new life.
Guardiola acknowledged that afterward. “I think [my players] got irritated. Because of one situation, the momentum immediately went to Newcastle and they got irritated [by it] as well.”
Even so, City didn’t lose its emotional control. The team stayed on top, kept the pressure on and was rewarded on the very last play of the match. Two substitutes combined on the move, and Rayan Cherki finished after a quick exchange with Aït-Nouri, sealing the 2–0 scoreline at 53 minutes of the second half.
Guardiola, constant demands and a City that won’t settle
After the match, Guardiola explained exactly what he wants from Semenyo. “We always encourage the wingers to get there. It’s very important to score goals and it’s no secret that you have to bring players closer to goal.” The comment helps explain the Ghanaian’s immediate impact, two goals in two games, providing presence up front and also helping defensively in the second half.
Despite the win, Guardiola kept the critical edge that has become a trademark of this City side. “We have to improve. That’s why we’ve been champions so many times. We never complain, but today I complained.” In his view, even with injuries and other issues, the group delivered. “The spirit is there. I feel it in every training session.”