The EFL have confirmed their team of match officials to oversee proceedings in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.
Manchester City returned to winning ways in convincing fashion over the weekend having started the new calendar year with three consecutive draws in Premier League action against Sunderland, Chelsea, and Brighton.
The Etihad Stadium was treated to a total of 11 goals in 90 minutes in Saturday afternoon’s FA Cup third round tie between City and Exeter, with 10 of those goals coming for the hosts in a staggering 10-1 rout over the League One outfit.
The contest also featured a number of standout and landmark moments, as Antoine Semenyo provided a goal and an assist in a Player of the Match performance on his debut for the club, while there were also first goals for Max Alleyne and Ryan McAidoo.
Elsewhere in Manchester City’s rising Academy ranks, Stephen Mfuni would also come on for his debut to add to the breakthrough moment seen by McAidoo, with all of the club’s young talents hoping for further appearances in the competition as it progresses.
Ahead of the meeting between Newcastle United and Manchester City, the English Football League have now announced the list of match officials to oversee proceedings at St James’ Park!
Match Referee
As confirmed by the English Football League, highly-experienced referee Christopher Kavanagh will be the on-field match official for Newcastle United against Manchester City on Tuesday night in the North-East.
The 40-year-old North-West based official has so far taken charge of 25 matches across all competitions this season, with those outings spread across the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League qualifying, Community Shield, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
In that period, Kavanagh has handed out a total of 95 yellow cards, one second yellow card dismissal, one straight red card, and awarded eight penalty-kicks in the process so far this season.
Kavanagh has officiated Manchester City on 15 occassions across his professional officiating career to date, with the Etihad Stadium club emerging as victorious in nine contests, drawing three, and losing the other three matches.
The last time Pep Guardiola’s side have come across Kavanagh came in a comfortable 3-0 home win over Premier League rivals Liverpool, in a contest that saw two yellow cards and a penalty awarded in City’s favour – missed by Erling Haaland.
Assistant Referees
Accompanying Chris Kavanagh on the pitch at St James’ Park in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg will be an assistant referee pairing of Dan Cook and Ian Hussin, the English Football League have confirmed.
Video Assistant Referees
Overseeing proceedings from within the VAR Hub this week will be the appointed Video Assistant Referee Stuart Attwell, accompanied by Assistant Video Assistant Referee Craig Taylor.
Fourth Official
Managing the actions of the two dugouts this week and ensuring that all is kept in check between Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola will be referee Matthew Donohue, taking up the position of fourth official.