City sweep Newcastle aside to reach Carabao Cup final

In partnership with

Manchester City F.C.

·4 February 2026

City sweep Newcastle aside to reach Carabao Cup final

City have booked a place in the Carabao Cup final after a 3-1 win over Newcastle United.

Already 2-0 up on aggregate after our first leg win at St James’ Park. the Blues dismantled the Magpies in the first-half with a superb display of attacking football.

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Omar Marmoush grabbed a brace and Tijjani Reijnders added a third as City opened up a 3-0 lead inside 32 minutes at the Etihad.

Newcastle pulled one back just past the hour-mark, but it was too little, too late as we recorded a resounding 5-1 scoreline over the two matches.

The Game in 250 words

City were at our breathless best in the opening 45 minutes against Newcastle United.

Brave and brash, the Blues had effectively booked a place in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal with barely half-an-hour played.

There were only seven minutes on the clock when our two-goal first leg advantage was increased as Marmoush’s clever interchange saw him race into the box where a Dan Burn challenge saw the ball rebound off the Egyptian and past Aaron Ramsdale and into the net.

Moments later, Joe Willock looked set to level as he went to round James Trafford only for the City keeper to make a super snatch save to deny the opportunity.

Before 20 minutes had passed, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico O’Reilly had both gone close to scoring a second.

At the other end, on 21 minutes, Trafford denied Anthony Gordon with another fine save.

But the second leg was all-but settled in the space of two minutes as Marmoush headed Semenyo’s deflected cross home at the back post on the half-hour.

And two minutes after that the dangerous Semenyo drove into the Magpies’ box, cut inside and Reijnders took over, slotting a low shot past Ramsdale from 10 yards.

The Magpies improved after the break - they had to - and pulled a goal back through Anthony Elanga just past the hour.

They had another ruled out for offside before Elanga missed a guilt-edged chance to score again on 69 minutes.

But game had been over as a contest has been long before with the visitors playing for little else but pride.

Star Man: marmoush

Two more goals against Newcastle following his treble against them last season, Omar Marmoush enjoys playing against Eddie Howe’s men.

Full of energy and attacking intent from the start, his goals settled any nerves or doubts that City were heading for Wembley.

Terrific stuff from the Egyptian.

TEAMS

CITY XI: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake (Alleyne 46), Ait-Nouri, Nico (Lewis 83), Reijnders, O’Reilly (Rodri 71), Semenyo (Haaland 72), Foden (Cherki 72), Marmoush

Subs: Donnarumma, Dias,, Nypan, McAidoo

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall (J Murphy 46), Botman, Tonali, Gordon (Barnes 44), Thiaw, Woltemade (Wissa 46), Willock (Elanga 46), Burn, Ramsey

Subs: Pope, Osula, A Murphy, Shahar, Neave

Attendance: 41,834

Slick City Counter magpies

We have become accustomed to possession-based football over the past decade or so, and it’s served us spectacularly well.

But as the personnel has changed over the past 18 months, with new players and different skillsets, so our playing style is changing as and when needed.

A couple of seasons back, City playing at home and largely on the counter-attack was not on our agenda.

But against Newcastle, our first three goals were all the result of fast breaks forward that had the Magpies rocking on their heels.

It was exciting, refreshing and adds a new dimension to Pep Guardiola’s armoury that can, at times be devastating.

Trafford shines again

It’s not easy having one of the world’s best goalkeepers ahead of you, but whenever James Trafford is given the chance to shine, he takes it with both hands.

The young England stopper has impressed each time he’s played for the Blues and was outstanding against Newcastle.

Sharp, decisive and athletic, the Blues are fortunate to not only have one world class goalie in Gigio Donnarumma, but two in the shape of James Trafford.