NEWCASTLE: Antoine Semenyo marked a dream start to life at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side moved closer to the League Cup final with a 2-0 first-leg victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday. The Ghanaian, who joined from Bournemouth for 65 million dollars last week, scored the opening goal and had a second controversially ruled out.
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City dominated the match despite a bright start from Newcastle, with Yoane Wissa missing a major early chance for the hosts. City goalkeeper James Trafford, recently returned from Burnley, made a key save to keep the visitors in control before Bruno Guimaraes struck the post.
The breakthrough came when Jeremy Doku’s run and Bernardo Silva’s cross allowed Semenyo to prod home from close range. Semenyo thought he had a second, but VAR ruled the goal out, citing Erling Haaland’s interference from an offside position.
In the dying moments, Rayan Cherki sealed City’s commanding lead, finishing Rayan Ait-Nouri’s low cross to make it 2-0. The result leaves Newcastle with a tough task for the second leg on February 4 as they look to defend their League Cup title, which they won last season after a 70-year wait.
Semenyo, who also scored on his FA Cup debut in a 10-1 win over Exeter, said he felt “welcomed and confident” at City. Guardiola fielded a strong lineup, including Haaland in his first League Cup start in three years, signalling the club’s determination to reach the final for the first time since 2021.
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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted the VAR decision was a turning point and praised the crowd’s support, but City’s clinical counter-attacks proved decisive, leaving them firmly in control of the tie.