Man City Sweep Newcastle Aside to Reach Carabao Cup Final | OneFootball

Man City Cruise Past Newcastle to Set Up Wembley Date

Manchester City will return to Wembley in March after dismantling Newcastle across two legs in a Carabao Cup semi final that was settled long before the second half of the tie. A 5-1 aggregate victory confirmed another domestic final for Pep Guardiola’s side and extended a familiar pattern in meetings between Man City and Newcastle.

Newcastle arrived at the Etihad trailing 2-0 and in need of belief as much as inspiration. They left having been overwhelmed by City’s control, movement and depth, the sort of performance that turns knockout football into a procession.

Early Goals Kill Newcastle Hope

Any remaining doubt vanished inside six minutes. Omar Marmoush, given the nod in place of Erling Haaland, capitalised on a loose moment and watched his deflected effort loop beyond Aaron Ramsdale. It felt decisive not because of the scoreline but because of the sense of inevitability that followed.

City played with clarity and patience, probing without urgency, confident that openings would appear. Ramsdale kept the score respectable with a stunning save from Tijjani Reijnders, while at the other end James Trafford denied Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon in quick succession. Those moments mattered. Newcastle needed momentum, instead they were punished.

Marmoush struck again on the half hour, heading in from close range, before Reijnders swept home a loose ball before the break. At 3-0 on the night and 5-0 overall, the contest was effectively over.

Guardiola Side Marches Back to Wembley

The second half unfolded as a formality. Anthony Elanga curled in a fine effort on 62 minutes to give Newcastle brief reward, and Harvey Barnes later saw a goal ruled out, but City never wavered. Control was re established almost instantly, possession recycled, tempo managed.

In a week when questions had surfaced about Guardiola’s long term future, his team responded with assurance. City will now face Arsenal in the final on Sunday, 22 March, with Guardiola chasing a 19th trophy.

His first success came in this competition in 2017, with Mikel Arteta alongside him. This time, the former assistant stands opposite, leading a side six points clear at the top of the Premier League and eager to strike a psychological blow.

Newcastle Left Counting Cost

For Newcastle, history offered little comfort and even less encouragement. No side has ever overturned a two goal home defeat in a Carabao Cup semi final, and the Etihad has long been an unforgiving venue. This was only their second goal there in more than seven years.

Eddie Howe’s team were stretched and exposed in the first half, midfield lines bypassed, a back five unable to cope with Marmoush’s movement. Dan Burn, hands on head after City’s third, embodied the frustration.

The rally after the break showed spirit but also wastefulness. Elanga scored well and missed another, chances came and went, and the aggregate scoreline remained unforgiving. This was not how the holders wanted to relinquish a trophy they had waited so long to claim.

Man City move on, Newcastle reflect, and Wembley beckons once more.