Key Takeaways:
- Manchester City advanced to the League Cup final with a 3:1 second-leg victory over Newcastle last night, securing a 5:1 aggregate win
- Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City will request a review of the participation rules concerning defender Marc Guehi
- The Carabao Cup final against Arsenal is scheduled for 22 March
City Book Wembley Spot with Convincing Aggregate Triumph
Manchester City earned their place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley after defeating Newcastle 3:1 in the semifinal second leg at home last night. With this result, the reigning champions completed a 5:1 victory on aggregate across both legs.
🚨 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: The EFL will not change its rules to allow Marc Guehi play for City in the Carabao Cup final despite Guardiola's plea.
The rules were already eased at the start of season to allow players to appear for more than one club if it was before the semi-final 1st leg… pic.twitter.com/FYDGCOouYU
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) February 5, 2026
| Fixture | Result | Aggregate Score |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester City vs Newcastle (Second Leg) | 3:1 | 5:1 |
Guardiola Calls for Change in Player Eligibility Rules
Following their progression to the final, manager Pep Guardiola has urged competition organisers to reconsider regulations that currently prevent Marc Guehi from taking part in the showpiece event. Guehi, who played earlier in the competition for Crystal Palace and joined Manchester City after the first semifinal, is ineligible for the final under existing tournament rules.
“Why shouldn’t he play? Why? We pay his salary, he is our player. You buy a player for a lot of money and he cannot play because of a rule that I do not understand. I hope they will change it,” Guardiola told the media.
The City boss further revealed, “I told the club’s management that we should ask – hopefully, we can persuade the organizers and Marc can play in the final,”.
League Cup Final Details
Manchester City will meet Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, with the fixture scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on 22 March.
