Five Things Learned: Manchester City 3-1 (5-1) Newcastle (Carabao Cup Semi-Final Second Leg) | OneFootball

Manchester City booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final with a commanding 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium, completing a 5-1 aggregate win in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

What could have been a potentially awkward second leg after a busy schedule was actually settled inside just 32 minutes, as Manchester City took advantage of Newcastle’s weak defence with pinpoint accuracy.

Omar Marmoush scored twice within the first half hour; the first being the result of a fortunate break, while the second as a result of ruthlessly punishing a clearance error from those in black and white.

Tijjani Reijnders added a third before the half-time interval, capitalising on City’s midfield superiority and Newcastle’s apparent inability to cope with runners from deep. Anthony Elanga would pull one back in the second half for the visitors, but the tie was long over.

Manchester City’s trip to Wembley Stadium in March sets up a mouthwatering final against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, adding further fuel given Pep Guardiola’s simmering rivalry with his former assistant.

More immediately, the performance on Wednesday night that highlighted both Manchester City’s evolving attacking options and a persisting vulnerability once their intensity drops.

Here are Five Things We Learned from Manchester City’s performance against Newcastle United!

Marmoush gives Guardiola tactical flexibility without Haaland

Manchester City started without Erling Haaland, yet the attacking structure looked anything but dull. Pep Guardiola’s 4-2-2-2 system with Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo playing together worked smoothly and in ways that Newcastle couldn’t handle.

Marmoush’s first goal came within seven minutes, and he was partly lucky that Dan Burn’s tackle sent the ball back to him, which then bounced off the Egyptian’s leg and over Aaron Ramsdale.

But the movement that came before taught us something; Marmoush moved into the left channel, got the ball on the half-turn, and went straight for the space. Newcastle’s back three were immediately left uncomfortable.

His second was more emphatic. Tijjani Reijnders’ strong run through the middle forced Newcastle to move back, and Semenyo’s cross created chaos, before Marmoush attacked the second ball with confidence. This was a striker’s move based on being able to move and anticipate, not just staying stationary.

It is undoubtable that Omar Marmoush is more flexible than Erling Haaland, drifting wide, pressing hard, and naturally combining well in small spaces, suiting the split-striker system Pep Guardiola has leaned into during periods of rotation.

Erling Haaland remains irreplaceable for the marquee matches for Manchester City given the large feeling of inevitability that comes with the Norwegian in front of goal, but Omar Marmoush is no longer just a back-up, he is a lethal tactical option.

Reijnders showed why Guardiola persists with him

Tijjani Reijnders‘ career in a City shirt has been full of ups and downs, and times when he has been at his scintillating best, and completely anonymous. The first-half performance against Newcastle was a reminder of why Pep Guardiola remains patient with him.

Reijnders was everywhere Newcastle did not want him to be, breaking through Eddie Howe’s defence by carrying the ball, going past midfield lines, and getting to the box late. He was involved in all three goals in the first half, started play for Marmoush’s second by coming in unmarked and applying the finish for City’s third after Burn’s outstretched leg inadvertently set him up.

Crucially, Manchester City’s midfield overloads were planned and organised as Reijnders was free to attack space with Nico O’Reilly and Nico González playing deeper and giving the Dutchman the freedom to roam higher up the pitch.

Newcastle’s 3-5-2 relies on wingbacks and wide centre-backs being aggressive, but when those players cannot deliver, the system collapses, and Tijjani Reijnders exploited that mercurially.

This was not just about goals, but about tempo-setting and inducing verticality in a team often playing sideways. In a Manchester City side sometimes accused of being sterile, Tijjani Reijnders brought urgency and decisive penetration.

City’s second-half drop-off remains a concern

Even though the final score was comfortable for City, the match showed they still have the same problem: they lose control after the break. Newcastle, with nothing to lose, had decent opportunities to stage a comeback. Yoane Wissa missed a golden chance almost immediately in the second half, and Elanga’s goal came from City defenders backing off.

Elanga’s finish was great; he dodged several defenders before finding the far corner. However, Guardiola will be worried about how easily he got through City’s defensive third. A second Newcastle goal could have happened when Harvey Barnes finished clinically, only for the offside flag to intervene and rule it out.

When pressed, both Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne looked uncomfortable and gave the ball away in dangerous areas. Guardiola did not take any risks. On came Haaland, Rodri and Rayan Cherki to restore authority and manage the game.

Those substitutions worked, but the problem is still there. The intensity of the team drops in the second half, spaces open up, and opponents get a boost to attack. That difference could be crucial in knockout football, especially against top teams.

Trafford enhanced his case as more than a deputy

Gianluigi Donnarumma is now the first choice at Manchester City, so James Trafford hasn’t had many chances to display his calibre, but he took his chance with calmness and confidence once again this week.

He rushed off his line early in the first half to stop Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon, which set the tone for proactive goalkeeping. His positioning was sharp, distribution was sure, and his control of the box was reassuring. Trafford stayed calm even when Newcastle pushed in the second half. He made himself big in one-on-one situations and directed those in front of him.

Performances like this also highlights Trafford is comfortable with the ball at his feet, giving City another option during build-up, and he’s willing to receive the ball under pressure. Donnarumma, on the other hand, is better at stopping shots than passing the ball.

Pep Guardiola has already stated that they will examine James Trafford’s long-term future in the summer, and even if the hierarchy doesn’t change for now, performances like this make his case stronger.

City’s squad depth is no longer theoretical – it is being stress-tested and trusted

Another thing to take away from this semi-final is how strongly Pep Guardiola relied on the depth of his squad, not as a back-up plan but as a strategic choice. This was a purposeful change, based on the competition, the opponent, and the bigger picture.

Not playing Erling Haaland in the second leg of the semi-final, even though they were ahead 2–0 on aggregate, showed faith in the structure rather than the star.

The same applied to starting James Trafford and utilising younger defenders such as Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov, even after some recent wobbles. Guardiola did not remove them from risk, he exposed them to it in a controlled environment.

That approach tells you two things. First, with games coming up every three days and a Wembley final coming up, Guardiola clearly put managing physical and psychological load ahead of maintaining elite standards.

Second, it shows that Man City are willing to live with flaws to find long-term stability. City knew that Newcastle might get chances and that the game might get uncomfortable in the second half.

The response to those moments was revealing. Guardiola introduced Haaland, Rodri, and Rayan Cherki not to score goals, but to prevent the game from becoming uncontrollable. That ability to switch gears quickly with the bench, going from experimental to authoritative in a matter of minutes, shows that the team not only has depth but also has a clear hierarchy.

In previous seasons, City’s depth was often criticised. This performance demonstrated its use, trust, and management under pressure. As Manchester City continue to compete on many fronts, that may be just as important as any tactical detail or individual performance.

For now, though, the focus shifts to Wembley. Another final, another meeting with Arsenal, and another chapter in a rivalry shaped by recent history. Manchester City will arrive there with confidence, options, and issues still to resolve.