Key Takeaways:
- Manchester City earned a 2-0 win away at Newcastle in the first leg of the League Cup semifinals
- Antoine Semenyo scored in the 53rd minute, marking his second consecutive goal for City
- Rayan Cherki netted City’s second goal deep into stoppage time to strengthen their position
First Half Analysis: A Tense Tactical Battle
Manchester City edged closer to the League Cup final after securing a 2-0 away victory over reigning champions Newcastle in the first leg of the semifinals. The encounter opened with Newcastle threatening to take control, creating a golden opportunity just five minutes in. Murphy delivered an incisive pass to Wissa in a promising position, but the striker’s effort soared over the bar. Manchester City swiftly replied with a dangerous move, only for Pope’s alert intervention to deny Haaland a chance following a ball from Bernardo Silva.
We take a lead into the second leg 💪
⚫️ 0-2 🩵 @okx pic.twitter.com/uWmmQ48dFF
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 13, 2026
Newcastle continued to press, with Anthony Gordon posing problems and ultimately earning Matheus Nunes a yellow card. Despite the hosts’ intensity, Guardiola’s side completed the first half with a series of three consecutive corners, finishing with an Aké strike that deflected off target. Both sides entered the interval without a breakthrough as defences dominated proceedings.
Semenyo Strikes and VAR Drama in the Second Half
City adopted a more aggressive approach after the restart and nearly capitalised when a cross from Aké saw Gordon inadvertently direct the ball towards his own goal, only for Pope to prevent the opener with a swift save. Newcastle responded immediately with a rapid counterattack, as Wissa’s forceful header required a superb save from Trafford, who managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar. The defensive scramble continued, and Bruno Guimarães nearly found the net, but his effort struck the post.
In the 53rd minute, Jeremy Doku’s explosive run on the left led to a pinpoint cross, enabling Antoine Semenyo to power the ball home from close range and give City the lead. The momentum swung further in City’s favour soon after. Following a triple substitution by Guardiola, Semenyo finished skilfully from a corner, but an extensive VAR review, led by Chris Kavanagh, adjudged that Haaland interfered from an offside position and disallowed the goal much to the away side’s frustration.
Late Changes and Cherki’s Clincher
The reversal of Semenyo’s second effort provided Newcastle renewed hope as Eddie Howe introduced Elanga, Woltemade, and Tonali in a triple substitution. Tonali immediately came close to an equaliser, firing narrowly wide. However, Newcastle’s attack failed to yield the crucial goal as Manchester City’s substitutes, particularly Rayan Cherki, injected fresh energy.
The closing moments saw Cherki denied by Pope from a tight angle, while the Newcastle keeper again prevented Haaland from connecting during a dangerous moment. In stoppage time, City’s substitutes combined for a decisive second. Tijjani Reijnders played in Cherki, who finished clinically to secure a valuable two-goal cushion for Guardiola’s men ahead of the return leg.
Looking Ahead
Manchester City hold a commanding lead going into the second leg, while Eddie Howe’s Newcastle will need a much-improved attacking display to overturn the deficit and keep their title defence alive.
