Match Report & Player Ratings: Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City (Carabao Cup Semi-Final First Leg)

Antoine Semenyo scored his second goal in as many games to help Manchester City take a two-goal advantage back to the Etihad Stadium after beating Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

The 26-year-old, who joined from Bournemouth for just under an initial £65 million earlier this month, carried on his scoring after opening his City account in the 10-1 FA Cup thrashing of Exeter at the weekend.

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A six-minute VAR review denied the attacker his brace just 10 second-half minutes after the opener due to Erling Haaland being found offside in one of the tightest offside calls ever seen.

Nevertheless, Rayan Cherki managed to convert in the final minute of the game to double Manchester City’s advantage and make it three straight Carabao Cup games that he has scored in following goals against Brentford and Swansea City.

Although they walked away with victory, the opening half did not necessarily show revision to the blemishes in City’s football of late, but rather highlighted them as Eddie Howe’s side had the opportunity to take an early lead here after just five minutes.

Bruno Guimaraes, while being pressed by a number of Sky Blue shirts, managed to pick Joelinton out at the near side before the counter-attack progressed for the home side, resulting in Anthony Gordon finding Jacob Murphy on the right flank with a low, diagonal pass.

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Then Murphy – who eventually left the field after 47 minutes due to a hamstring problem – crossed to Yoane Wissa, but the former Brentford striker’s effort was high and wide, despite him being just eight yards out.

As anyone would expect, that woke Manchester City up but the Magpies’ threat was inevitable and after 27 minutes they went pacing on a quick break once more, again through Murphy. The 30-year-old imitated his cross to Wissa but, again, the striker looked devoid of confidence and the ball was soon flying into the Leazes Stand.

To the fortune of Pep Guardiola’s side, a much weakened side handled Newcastle’s aggression and even generated opportunities for themselves; Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva linked up well after eight minutes before a pass across the face of goal ran out frustratingly.

In addition, Nathan Ake spun and struck from a loose ball on the back of a corner but couldn’t put the ball on target, ending an underwhelming half for both sides. Guardiola’s, coming to St. James’ Park on a run of 12 games unbeaten, needed much more in the second period – which they eventually got during a stage where almost everything happened in the game.

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First, Gordon nearly scored an own goal when Ake’s cross fell through the cover of Malick Thiaw which forced Nick Pope to dive low, before a cross by Gordon found Wissa in the middle – his effort testing James Trafford, who tipped the ball onto the crossbar in heartstopping fashion.

Only seconds later, Guimaraes drew gasps from the 51,392 supporters inside the ground when he struck the frame of the goal. From such a high-spirited series of events, the Newcastle fans soon had to watch City take the lead through Semenyo.

After 53 minutes, Doku drove down the left and cut towards the byline, past Harvey Barnes, before crossing into the box with a low cross that was helped on by Silva at the near post. As a result Semenyo, who got ahead of Gordon inside the six-yard box, tapped in for his second goal in as many games.

The Ghana international has made the perfect start to life in Guardiola’s side and thought he had given City a two-goal advantage just 10 minutes after his first from a corner but, after a six-minute VAR review, Erling Haaland was controversially found to be offside.

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It would be needless to say that the north-east roared at the time the goal was chalked off and the hosts gathered some inspiration in the form of a Sandro Tonali strike that glided past the foot of Trafford’s left-hand post with 20 minutes remaining.

Despite the inclusion of the big names — Tonali and Nick Woltemade — the Magpies couldn’t force past City’s resistance and a 99th-minute goal from Cherki meant Guardiola’s side will take a 2-0 lead back to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg next month.

Here’s how we rated the Manchester City players from their first-leg victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

James Trafford – 7.5

Made arguably the greatest save of the competition when he tipped Yoane Wissa’s header onto the upright incredibly. Other than that he was hardly tested. Still, this performance would have granted him plenty of confidence.

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Matheus Nunes – 5

Rashly earned himself a yellow card shortly before the interval due to a mistimed tackle on Anthony Gordon to sum up an underwhelming half for the full-back. Could have been stronger in all aspects, which is a shame due to some exciting spells across this season.

Abdoukodir Khusanov – 7.5

Looked sloppy at times on the ball but held the line well in place of the injured Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, whose absences are still felt heavily in this City team. A whole host of vital defensive contributions on the night for the Uzbek defender, who is going from strength to strength in this side.

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Max Alleyne – 7.5

At just 20 years old, Alleyne looks confident in the first team and it comes as no surprise that Guardiola is wanting to keep him there in the foreseeable future.

Nathan Ake – 6.5

Was shifted out to left-back again and fared well and looked alert at all times, unlike others from the backline. Crossed excellently for Anthony Gordon’s mishap which nearly resulted in an own goal.

Nico O’Reilly – 6

Picked up an avoidable yellow card after pushing Joelinton’s face off the ball to dampen an otherwise strong performance in the centre of midfield. It’s clear that Pep Guardiola likes versatility and O’Reilly showed just that here.

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Bernardo Silva – 7.5

Won plenty of fouls in the centre of the pitch but gave a couple away to kill the game’s momentum and ultimately provide Newcastle with more time to reconvene. Recovered an average, but certainly energetic and intelligent performance, with a well-worked assist.

Phil Foden – 6

Kept tight to the Newcastle backline but also dropped back when needed. It was a good decision by Pep Guardiola to take him off as he wasn’t the most effective throughout his hour on the pitch.

Antoine Semenyo – 8 (POTM)

Showed great physicality in the earlier stages and earned himself another goal which came due to his alertness and ability to get ahead of defenders. His second goal, which anyone could argue should have stood, took great reactions and it’s a shame it was disallowed.

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Jeremy Doku – 7

Proved to be a thorn in Newcastle’s side before going off after 77 minutes. Worked the left side excellently and linked up well with Bernardo Silva when advancing attacks. Played a large part in the opener.

Erling Haaland – 5.5

Never really had a chance which is starting to become a problem for the forward. His physicality is cherished on offensive and defensive set-pieces but there is little reward for that when it comes to scoring goals.

Substitutes

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 7

Defended Newcastle’s late press well and cooperated with his teammates in the final stages. Showed aggression and motivation to hold the ball and waste time in the concluding minutes, and provided a match-sealing assist in the contest.

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Rayan Cherki – 7.5

Drove towards goal and had a shot of his own after coming on late. Worked the ball well and paced up the pitch on late counter-attacks to keep City’s offensive threat alive and managed to convert with less than a minute remaining – doing what he does best!

Rico Lewis – 6

Showed that he may be at times a better option at right-back than Matheus Nunes, who had a poor performance compared to usual. A solid 30 minutes as he looks to regain confidence and minutes in the first team.

Rodri – 6.5

His induction was just what City needed in a right-knit game like this. The Spain international provided calmness and control in the midfield areas, which had a lasting effect given Newcastle’s momentum at the end was killed by Rayan Cherki’s goal.

Tijjani Reijnders – 6

Acted as the perfect replacement to Phil Foden and continued to give Guardiola a selection headache with his impact.

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