Manchester City edged closer to another EFL Cup final after a controlled 2-0 win away to Newcastle United, ending the Magpies’ long unbeaten run at St James’ Park and taking a firm grip on their semi-final tie,Softfootball reports.
The hosts started with intent and almost made the perfect opening. Within the opening minutes, Jacob Murphy found space down the right and picked out Yoane Wissa inside the area, but the forward failed to make the most of the opportunity, lifting his effort over the bar. That moment briefly lifted the home crowd, yet clear chances were scarce thereafter in a first half disrupted by fouls and stoppages rather than flowing football.
Newcastle emerged with renewed energy after the break and went close twice in quick succession. Wissa’s header needed to be cleared off the line by James Trafford, while Bruno Guimarães followed up with a thunderous strike that crashed back off the post. Those missed opportunities proved decisive.
City struck with ruthless efficiency. Their first effort on target resulted in the opening goal as Jérémy Doku drove into space on the left before supplying a teasing ball into the box. Bernardo Silva helped it on, allowing Antoine Semenyo to finish from close range and give the visitors the lead. The January signing thought he had added a second moments later, but a prolonged VAR review ruled the goal out for offside in the build-up.
With Newcastle pushing for a response, Pep Guardiola’s side managed the game expertly, slowing the tempo and limiting the hosts to speculative efforts. Any remaining doubt was removed deep into stoppage time when Rayan Cherki found the net to hand City a two-goal advantage heading into the second leg.
Manchester City had reached this stage by dispatching Brentford 2-0 in the quarter-finals, and this composed performance reinforced their status as strong favourites to progress.
After the game, Manchester City via its official X handle, shared the full time result with the caption:
We take a lead into the second leg 💪⚫️ 0-2 🩵
@okx
Awaiting the winners of this tie will be either Chelsea or Arsenal, who meet in the other semi-final first leg tomorrow evening at Stamford Bridge, with a place at Wembley firmly in sight.
