Man City vs Newcastle live: Hosts seal Carabao Cup final place after first-half brace from Marmoush | OneFootball

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Pep Guardiola: I will always stand up for human beings who are suffering

A first-half brace from Omar Marmoush sealed Manchester City’s spot in the Carabao Cup final as Pep Guardiola’s side dominated Newcastle United.

The visitors came into the match trailing 2-0 after the first leg and their hopes were quickly dashed as Marmoush bundled in after seven minutes, the Egyptian benefitting from a deflection off Dan Burn’s sliding challenge.

And Marmoush had a second to effectively seal the tie before the half-hour mark, heading in from a couple yards after Kieran Trippier’s failed clearance to effectively seal the result.

The match threatened to get away from the Magpies after that, with Tijjani Reijnders tapping in a third on the counter before half-time, and while the Magpies had chances and Anthony Elanga scored an impressive consolation, it was the hosts who cruised into the Carabao Cup final, with Pep Guardiola’s side facing Arsenal on 22 March in a repeat of the 2018 final.

Manchester City to appeal Marc Guehi status ahead of Carabao Cup final

Pep Guardiola has told Manchester City to ask the Football League for permission to play Marc Guehi in the Carabao Cup final – even though his January signing is ineligible.

City progressed to meet Arsenal at Wembley on 22 March by beating Newcastle 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, and 5-1 on aggregate.

But defender Guehi, a £20m buy from Crystal Palace, was not allowed to play as he was not signed in time for the first leg, which also rules him out of the final.

Manchester City to appeal Marc Guehi status ahead of Carabao Cup final

Guehi is ineligible to play the final after joining the club in January but Pep Guardiola has asked City to appeal for permission from the Football League

Richard Jolly4 February 2026 23:16

James Trafford will start Carabao Cup final ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma confirms Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already revealed a small part of his line-up for the Carabao Cup final, with the Spaniard suggesting that James Trafford will start for the Cityzens at Wembley.

Trafford deputised for Gianluigi Donnarumma in City’s 3-1 win over Newcastle in their League Cup semi-final second leg, with the Englishman making several key saves – particularly from Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon – to keep his side ahead.

And Guardiola was full of praise for the 23-year-old, adding that he is going to play his “first final of the Carabao Cup”.

Chris Wilson4 February 2026 23:15

Howe: 'It could have been different but we accept the reality'

Here’s what Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had to say after the defeat:

"It was the start we didn't want. The first goal, Dan has gone to clear the ball and it's gone off their attacker and gone in. That sums up the start of the game we had. It was the opposite of what we wanted and it took the game away from us,” he explained.

“In both games if you look back, we are frustrated we only scored one goal in two games. We don't feel we should have lost the first leg 2-0 on the balance of opportunities created.

“It could have been different but we accept the reality. The last thing you want to do is have to chase a game. We were going for the match, we were trying to attack,” he added.

He also explains that the injury to Anthony Gordon “looks like hamstring injury, I don't think it looks too bad."

Chris Wilson4 February 2026 22:57

Guardiola seems to confirm Trafford final berth

“I said from the beginning James is a top player, a top class keeper so he’s got an incredible future ahead of him. The position of keeper is special because of course he has to play,” said Guardiola on James Trafford, who deputised for Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal this evening.

“Some players like Nico O’Reilly can play left-back, attacking midfielder, in the pockets, holding midfielder but the keeper has to play keeper and there is just one of course.

“He’s an extraordinary keeper and I’m really pleased. With the final, he’s going to play the first final of Carabao Cup for him and in FA Cup of course everything can happen,” he added.

(AP)

Chris Wilson4 February 2026 22:36