Semenyo scores again as Man City in pole position after semi-final first leg | OneFootball

Manchester City earned a commanding first leg Carabao Cup lead over the holders Newcastle United with Antoine Semenyo on target once again.

It wasn't a memorable first half at St James' Park with the only action of note a substitution just before the break as the injured Jacob Murphy had to be replaced by Harvey Barnes.

The start of the second half was far more entertaining not long after Anthony Gordon had almost diverted the ball into his own net, the Magpies had two great chances in the space of a few seconds.

First, Yoane Wissa had a header that James Trafford was just able to tip onto the bar before Bruno Guimarães fired a shot onto the post.

However, City took the lead through their new signing in the 53rd minute. Jeremy Doku did well down the left and put in a low cross that Bernardo Silva got a foot to before Semenyo finished from close range.

Newcastle were given a lifeline just ten minutes later when it looked like Semenyo had got another when he flicked in from a corner. However, VAR intervened and after a very lengthy review with a referee consultation decided that Erling Haaland as he wrestled with Malick Thiaw while close to Nick Pope. Haaland was certainly interfering with play but the margin for the offside looked incredibly tight.

That decision, controversial or not, seemed to give Newcastle a renewed hope and open the game up Sandri Tonali firing a shot just wide soon after the goal was ruled out.

The home side pushed to get an equaliser before the return leg in Manchester but suffered a late sucker punch when again City built up well on the left with two substitutes Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rayan Cherki – the latter getting the final touch to make it 2-0 leaving Newcastle everything to do in the second leg.