Semenyo has struck immediately as Manchester City edge closer to the League Cup final

Beat Newcastle 2-0 in the League Cup

Antoine Semeneu opened the scoring for Manchester City. Photo: AFP

NEWCASTLE:

Antoine Semeneu became an instant hero for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s men took a huge step towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 win at Newcastle.
The Ghana international, who joined from Bournemouth for 65 million pounds ($87 million) last week, opened the scoring and also had a second goal disallowed.
But Rayan Cherki delivered what could have been the knockout for the holders in the 98th minute.
The Magpies ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by lifting the League Cup last season but will need a heroic fightback to reach Wembley when the two teams meet again for the second leg of the semi-finals on February 4.
Semenyo also scored on his debut on Saturday in a 10-1 demolition of Exeter in the FA Cup.
In previous years he would have been level after appearing for Bournemouth earlier in the competition.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe made his displeasure clear before the game with a rule change this season that allows players to play for two clubs in one season and City took full advantage.
Guardiola signaled his desire to reach the final for the first time since 2021 as Erling Haaland made his first League Cup start in three years in a strong City selection just days before they visit Manchester United in the Premier League.
Yoane Wissa blasted a superb early chance over the bar as Newcastle roared out of the blocks in front of a packed St. James’ Park.
But that was the closest either side came in the first half.
City goalkeeper James Trafford was a long-term target for Newcastle before his return to the Etihad from Burnley in July.
The England under-21 international has had to play second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma for most of the season but proved his worth with a stunning save to claw away Wissa’s spinning header early in the second half.
Seconds later, Bruno Guimaraes hit the post as Newcastle pressed for an opener.
But they were caught with a mock punch at the other end when Jeremy Docu raced to the byline and his cross was deflected by Bernardo Silva into the path of Semenyo to head home from close range.
Semenho thought he had a third goal for City in two appearances when he curled in from a corner.
However, after a VAR review that lasted more than five minutes, the referees finally ruled that Haaland had prevented Malik Thiau’s ability to play the ball from an offside position.
A raucous home crowd celebrated the dismissal like a goal, but their side failed to find the back of the net despite several late chances for Nick Woltemade.
And City’s counter-attacking threat was finally realized when Cerki swept home Ryan Ait-Nouri’s low cross to secure a commanding first-leg lead.