Man City silence St James’ Park! 2-0 League Cup semi win

Manchester City took a commanding step towards another League Cup final with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the semi-final first leg at St James’ Park, inspired by in-form forward Antoine Semenyo. A late strike from Rayan Cherki doubled the advantage, leaving Eddie Howe’s side with a mountain to climb in the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.
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Pep Guardiola’s side had to withstand intense pressure at times, but their cutting edge in key moments proved the difference in a fiercely contested tie under the lights on Tyneside. Newcastle, roared on by a raucous home crowd, struck the woodwork twice and carved out several promising openings, yet could not find a way through a disciplined City defence.
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After a tight first half, the breakthrough arrived early in the second period through Semenyo, who has made an explosive start to life at City following his £65 million move from Bournemouth earlier this month. The Ghanaian international arrived at the back post to convert after a flowing move, finishing from close range after a cross from Jeremy Doku was cleverly flicked on by Bernardo Silva.
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Semenyo thought he had added a second when he lashed in another clinical effort, only for a lengthy VAR review to rule the goal out for offside, with Erling Haaland judged to have interfered from an illegal position. The decision briefly lifted Newcastle, who pushed forward aggressively, but City remained composed and continued to threaten on the counter.

As the hosts chased an equaliser deep into stoppage time, they were punished again when City’s substitutes combined to devastating effect. Rayan Aït-Nouri surged forward on the left and picked out Cherki in space, and the Frenchman coolly slotted home from the centre of the box to make it 2-0 and silence St James’ Park.

The clean sheet was another notable achievement for City, who became the first team this season to prevent Newcastle from scoring at home in any competition. For Howe’s side, the defeat not only ends their home scoring streak but also leaves them needing to overturn a two-goal deficit in a stadium where they have not won since 2014.​

The result places City firmly in control of the tie ahead of the second leg in Manchester, with Guardiola’s men now strong favourites to book their place at Wembley once again. Newcastle, meanwhile, must find both goals and belief on the road if they are to revive their hopes of reaching the final.
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