In the first leg of the League Cup semi-final, Manchester City secured a good starting position at Newcastle United. The men of the evening were new signing Antoine Semenyo and substitute Rayan Cherki.
At Newcastle United – who recently beat AFC Bournemouth 7-6 on penalties in the FA Cup – Woltemade had to watch from the sidelines, with Wissa starting up front alongside Murphy and Gordon. Pep Guardiola’s Skyblues, fresh from a 10-1 FA Cup win over Exeter City, fielded virtually their strongest attacking lineup, but made some changes at the back. For example, Trafford started in goal instead of Donnarumma.
Wissa lacks composure
St. James’ Park was already buzzing before kick-off, and both teams translated that energy onto the pitch. The game in Newcastle was energetic but also hectic at the start, which may have contributed to Wissa lacking composure when he found himself alone in front of Trafford after six minutes – the attacker put the ball over the bar from a promising position. At the other end, Haaland was half a step too late to meet Bernardo Silva’s cross (9′).
The game then settled into a more structured pattern, which may have pleased both coaches but did not necessarily increase the entertainment value of the match. City controlled the game without being able to create any promising attacking opportunities. Newcastle relied on counterattacks, but failed to finish them off. With no further notable chances, the teams went into the break.
After the break, the game suddenly caught fire. Pope just managed to prevent a Gorden own goal (49′), while at the other end, Wissa was denied by Trafford and Bruno Guimaraes hit the post (51′).
The sights were set high.
No one can stop Semenyo – except VAR
And the visitors knew how to take advantage of that: after Doku’s solo run, Bernardo Silva passed the ball to the far post, where new signing Semenyo had only to tap it in to score his second goal in his second game for the Skyblues (53′). The 26-year-old even scored a brace with an artistic finish from a corner, but because Haaland was a millimeter offside, which was deemed an active offense, the goal was disallowed after minutes of VAR review (67′).
So, they were still only one goal behind, which Woltemade, who had just come on as a substitute, was supposed to make up. Apart from a half-chance in the 85th minute, however, the former Stuttgart player posed little threat, while City switched to management mode—and finished off a fantastic attack in the eighth minute of stoppage time: After four passes, Cherki was played in and slotted home from seven yards to make it 2-0 and open the door to the final for the Skyblues.
On Sunday (3 p.m.), Newcastle United will play Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the day before (1:30 p.m.), City will be guests at United for the Manchester derby. The League Cup final will then be decided on February 4, when the Magpies face Manchester in the semi-final second leg – with City in the better position.
