Semenyo and Cherki give Manchester City edge over Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi

Manchester City took the advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle as Antoine Semenyo scored the opener and Rayan Cherki added a stoppage-time second.

Eddie Howe had feared Semenyo might be cup-tied, but the winger was cleared to play and finished City’s first goal after a move involving Harvey Barnes, Jérémy Doku and Bernardo Silva. James Trafford produced several fine saves for Newcastle, while Yoane Wissa missed their best early chance and Erling Haaland’s touches were limited.

Semenyo had a second effort ruled out after a five-minute 30-second VAR review that identified a marginal offside against Haaland; referee Chris Kavanagh was called to the monitor and disallowed the goal. The match saw tempers flare — Nico O’Reilly and Joelinton were booked after squaring up — and Newcastle made several changes, including replacing Jacob Murphy with Barnes because of a hamstring problem and later bringing on Sandro Tonali, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga, with Tonali going close with virtually his first touch.

Newcastle, who won the cup last March, had been buoyed before kick-off by news their majority owners are to announce plans for a £200m training ground at Woolsington Hall. The tie is not decided: the second leg is at the Etihad early next month, although the first-leg result left Newcastle’s defence looking distinctly fragile.

Key Topics

Sports, Manchester City, Newcastle, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, James Trafford