Manchester City 2 Newcastle United 0: City player ratings as City do the job at St. James’ Park | OneFootball

Manchester City 2 (Antoine Semenyo 53′, Ryaan Cherki 90+8)

Newcastle United 0

Here are the City player ratings Manchester City have picked up a vital 2-nil win over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park tonight. The result means that City hold the ascendency heading into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tie at the Etihad on February 4 after tonight’s result.

Ahead of kickoff, the big news was that Nico was missing from Manchester City’s squad for tonight’s match. Pep Guardiola revealed that the Spanish midfielder sustained an “incredible knock” in City’s recent 1-1 draw with Brighton.

The first half of the match was a tense affair. Yoane Wissa missed the best chance of the first half in the 4th minute. Abdukodir Khusanov made a rash challenge on the halfway line, which allowed Newcastle to break. Jacob Murphy played in a quality cross that Wissa hit over the bar from close range with his left foot. Following that early chance for Newcastle, City dominated possession but didn’t create any real openings. Newcastle were trying to get at City with pace, but the Manchester City defense held their own in the first half.

Manchester City almost took the lead in the 48th minute. Nathan Ake played a good cross to the back post that hit Anthony Gordon, and Nick Pope made a smart save to prevent City from scoring. Newcastle responded a minute later with James Trafford making a great save to keep out a Yoane Wissa header, and on the follow-up, Bruno Guimaraes struck a shot into the post from close range that stayed out.

Antoine Semenyo gives Manchester City the lead!!!!

Manchester City would take the lead in the 53rd minute. A well-worked move saw Jeremy Doku play in a low cross from the left wing. Bernardo Silva got a touch on the cross which diverted the ball into a dangerous position in the Newcastle six-yard box. Antoine Semenyo got on the end of the ball to tap in to give Pep Guardiola’s side the lead.

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Semenyo seemingly makes it 2-nil for City before VAR intervenes in farcical scenes.

Antoine Semenyo appeared to have doubled Manchester City’s lead in the 63rd minute. Tijjani Reijnders played a great corner into a dangerous position inside the Newcastle six-yard box. Semenyo diverted the ball into the net to double Manchester City’s lead. After a lengthy VAR check, the goal chalked off to prevent Pep Guardiola’s side from taking a precious 2-nil lead. The goal was ruled out by VAR for Erling Haaland having been adjudged to have impeded Newcastle United centre-back Malick Thiaw’s ability to play the ball from an offside position. The decision took too long to be reached, and it was ultimately splitting hairs, to be honest. You do have to question the sense of VAR after such a tight decision took six minutes to be reached.

The St. James’ Park crowd was buoyed by the VAR decision, but City held firm, and Rayan Cherki almost made it 2-nil in the 81st minute. A spell of Manchester City pressure saw Cherki get a close-range shot in from the left. Nick Pope made a save, and you did wonder why Erling Haaland hadn’t followed up Cherki’s effort. A tap-in was on offer, but Haaland and no other City player anticipated a rebound falling their way.

The game entered nine minutes of stoppage time due to the ridiculously long VAR check for Semenyo’s ruled-out goal. Newcastle were pushing for an equalizer, but City were maintaining possession well in the game’s closing stages.

Rayan Cherki should have made it 2-nil in the 93ed minute. The French international drove at a tired Newcastle United defence and hit a left-footed strike at goal from the edge of the area. But Cherki’s shot lacked power and was to close to Nick Pope who saved with ease.

Rayan Cherki gives Manchester City a 2-nil lead to take back to the Etihad.

Manchester City would make it 2-nil in the 98th minute. A superb move from a throw in between Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Ait-Nouri saw Ait-Nouri played into space on the left wing. The Algerian international worked his way into the Newcastle area and he played a superb cross to Rayan Cherki who doubled Manchester City’s lead with a superb first time finish. After Semenyo’s second goal was chalked off Cherki’s goal did feel like a well-deserved one to erase the bitterness from VAR’s mind-boggling decision.

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Manchester City would end up 2-nil victors on the night. They will take a two goal lead back to the Etihad and the City player ratings reflect a mature Manchester City performance. City rode their luck at times but they showed the control that is synonymous with Pep Guardiola sides and took their chances in the second half.

City player ratings.

James Trafford-8/10: Made one crucial save and I thought he was composed in goal on the big stage.

Matheus Nunes-6.5/10: Did his job at right-back before he was substituted. It was a smart move to take Nunes off given he was on a yellow card and with the Manchester derby only days away.

Abdukodir Khusanov-7.5/10: He made one rash challenge that led to a Newcastle chance in the early stages of tonight’s match. But he was solid at the back after that moment in another good performance. 

Max Alleyne-8.5/10: I thought Alleyne was absolutely superb at centre-back once again. He was good in possession and defended well when required. Alleyne looks to be every bit a proper Manchester City centre-back and his stock continues to climb.

Nathan Ake-7/10: Ake was solid at left-back and his experience helped Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne throughout the night.

Nico O’Reilly-7/10: I liked Nico O’Reilly’s game in midfield. Held his own against Newcastle’s midfield and didn’t back down from Joelinton’s attempt to intimidate him.

Bernardo Silva-9/10: A proper captain’s performance from Bernardo Silva. He set the tone with his work rate and he did everything for his team tonight. 

Phil Foden-6/10: A quiet game from Foden. Didn’t get into the game in midfield before he was taken off.

Antoine Semenyo-9/10: Manchester City have a new lethal weapon up front in Semenyo. His goal was well taken and his overall play was brilliant. He should have had a brace if not for VAR.

Jeremy Doku-8/10: A great performance from Doku on the left wing. He set up AntoineSemenyo’s goal and gave Lewis Mikey a torrid time throughout the match.

Erling Haaland-6/10: He toiled away all night but didn’t have a lot of service to feed off of. But his sheer presence creates space for Semenyo to thrive which is telling. 

Substitutes.

Rico Lewis-6/10: Didn’t have a lot of influence in the game after coming on.

Rodri-6.5/10: Brought a sense of calm to Manchester City’s midfield after coming on. He still looks rusty but City are an infinitely better team with him on the pitch.

Tijjani Reijnders-6/10: His corner set up the disallowed goal but unfortunately it was chalked off.

Rayan Cherki-8/10: A game breaking cameo performance from Cherki. He was dangerous and he scored the vital second goal. Newcastle couldn’t handle him.

Rayan Ait-Nouri-7/10: Grabbed an assist and he looks in good touch after playing at AFCON with Algeria.