Manchester City and Arsenal are set to clash in the League Cup final. After the Gunners overcame Chelsea, the Citizens demonstrated their superior quality against the Magpies in the return leg. Goals from Marmoush, who bagged a brace, and Reijnders secured their spot in the trophy decider.
More to follow shortly...
What happened in the first leg?
Manchester City defeated Newcastle 2-0 (0-0) in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final. Antoine Semenyo scored in the 53rd minute, and Rayan Cherki added another in the ninth minute of first-half stoppage time.
The Citizens' new, significant signing from Bournemouth also scored a masterful second goal, but it was disallowed for offside against Haaland.
Antoine Semenyo scored two goals and provided an assist in his first two appearances for Manchester City.
The opening goal came in the 53rd minute after a brilliant run by Doku down the left flank. The diminutive winger bypassed Barnes and delivered a sharp low cross into the six-yard box. Bernardo Silva then flicked the ball on, allowing Antoine Semenyo to easily tap it into the net from a few yards out. This was the only goal of the match that stood – 1-0.
It was a real shame that Semenyo's second goal was disallowed ten minutes later. Reijnders delivered a corner, and the new Citizens striker scored with a backheel. However, after a VAR review, it was determined that Haaland was offside and interfered with the Newcastle goalkeeper, leading referee Chris Kavanagh to disallow the goal.
Newcastle will rue their missed opportunities. Bisa squandered chances in the first half and early in the second, Bruno Guimarães hit the post in the 51st minute, and then in the 58th, he should have done better from the edge of the box, shooting straight at Trafford when unchallenged.
Towards the end of the match, Tonali missed an opportunity to level the score after a rebound, but the Citizens withstood the Magpies' onslaught and then sealed their fate with Rayan Cherki's goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
City had a throw-in on the left. Semenyo played Cherki on the edge of the box, who then produced a masterful backheel pass to Nouri. After a few steps, Nouri delivered a return pass to the powerful Frenchman, who had no trouble making it 2-0 and securing a significant victory in the first leg of the semi-final.
The return leg will be played on February 4th at the Etihad, kicking off at 9 PM.
English League Cup
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