Manchester City left St. James’ Park with a big result on 13 January 2026, beating holders Newcastle United 2-0 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. A goal from new arrival Antoine Semenyo and a late strike by substitute Rayan Cherki put Pep Guardiola’s side in control before the return match at the Etihad Stadium. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle now need a strong response to keep their title defence on track.
It was a tight, tactical night with plenty of edge. Newcastle created chances, but City were sharper when it mattered.
A Cagey First Half With Few Clear Openings
The opening half was tense, with both teams careful in possession and quick to close space. Newcastle started with energy and should have gone ahead early. Five minutes in, Yoane Wissa found himself in a great spot after good work from Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy, but he lifted his shot over from close range.
City didn’t settle straight away and struggled to create much before the break. Neither side produced many shots on target, and the game felt set up for a bigger second half.
Semenyo Puts City Ahead After the Restart
City’s breakthrough arrived in the 53rd minute. Antoine Semenyo, making just his second appearance for the club, met a low cross from Jeremy Doku on the left and guided his finish past the goalkeeper. It was a calm end to a sharp move, and it made it two goals in two games for the summer signing.
The goal quietened the home crowd and gave City exactly what they wanted, an away lead to protect.
Newcastle Push Back, Trafford Keeps City in Front
Newcastle didn’t fold. They stepped up the pressure and started finding space, forcing City goalkeeper James Trafford into key saves. Wissa went close again, with Trafford tipping an effort onto the crossbar, and Bruno Guimarães also hit the woodwork with a skidding strike.
The chances were there, but Newcastle couldn’t take them. By the end, they’d passed up four big openings, and that wastefulness hurt.
VAR Takes Its Time as Semenyo’s Second Is Ruled Out
Semenyo thought he’d made it 2-0 earlier when he finished another City move, but the goal didn’t stand. A five-and-a-half-minute VAR check ended with referee Chris Kavanagh ruling it out for a tight, debated offside in the build-up involving Erling Haaland.
The long delay frustrated everyone, and the match grew more heated after that. Eight yellow cards were shown in total as the tempo stayed high.
Cherki Finishes the Job in Stoppage Time
Newcastle threw men forward late on, chasing an equaliser, and City punished them on the counter. In the 98th minute, Rayan Cherki slid a low finish into the corner after a smart assist from Rayan Aït-Nouri. It was a clean break and a goal that could prove huge over two legs.
City takes a strong advantage into the second leg on 3 or 4 February 2026. Newcastle are still in the tie, but they’ll need a special night at the Etihad to turn it around.
Newcastle United Key Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Possession | 42% |
| Shots | 14 |
| Shots on Target | 5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | ~1.4 |
| Big Chances Missed | 4 |
| Corners | 7 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 |
Newcastle had enough pressure and chances to score, but their finishing didn’t match their build-up play.
Manchester City Key Statistics
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Possession | 58% |
| Shots | 11 |
| Shots on Target | 4 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | ~1.1 |
| Big Chances Created | 3 |
| Corners | 5 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 |
City didn’t create loads, but they took their chance, and Trafford’s saves made the difference.
Post-Match Reaction
After the match, Eddie Howe described the late second goal as a “body blow”, but stressed the tie isn’t over and praised his team’s effort. Pep Guardiola pointed to his side’s work rate and discipline against a tough opponent.
The win keeps Manchester City in the hunt for their first Carabao Cup since 2021. Newcastle, meanwhile, has work to do if they want to keep their hopes of back-to-back titles alive.
