Manchester City has taken a significant step towards the English League Cup final, defeating Newcastle 2-0 in the first-leg semi-final at St James’ Park. Antoine Semenyo, the club’s recent recruit, scored his second goal in as many games, while substitute Rayan Cherki sealed the victory in stoppage time.
Semenyo, who joined Manchester City from Bournemouth for approximately $87 million, opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a close-range strike. The Ghanaian striker had already found the net on his City debut during the 10-1 FA Cup thrashing of Exeter last weekend. Semenyo’s impressive start has been welcomed by his teammates, with City captain Bernardo Silva praising his collective approach to the game.
The match could have been even more spectacular for Semenyo, as a stunning backheel goal was ruled out for a tight offside after a VAR review. Despite this, Semenyo’s addition to the team has already made a significant impact, adding a new dimension to Manchester City’s attack as manager Pep Guardiola chases four trophies this season.
The League Cup could be Manchester City’s first trophy of the season, with the second leg scheduled to take place at the Etihad Stadium next month. Newcastle, the defending champions, face an uphill task to overturn the two-goal deficit, having ended a 70-year national drought last year. The Magpies had several chances, including efforts from Yoane Wissa and Bruno Guimarães, but were unable to find a breakthrough.
Manchester City, eight-time winners of the League Cup, have lifted the trophy four times under Guardiola, most recently in 2021. The team is also well-placed in the Premier League, sitting second behind leaders Arsenal, and has qualified for the fourth round of the FA Cup. With several chances of securing silverware this season, Manchester City’s squad depth and talent will be crucial in their pursuit of success. The second leg of the semi-final is set to be an exciting encounter, with Newcastle aiming to mount a comeback and Manchester City looking to secure their place in the final.
