Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City scores a goal past Nick Pope of Newcastle United which was later ruled out for offside following a VAR review during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on January 13, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)placeholder image
Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City scores a goal past Nick Pope of Newcastle United which was later ruled out for offside following a VAR review during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on January 13, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City player ratings: Here’s how Yoane Wissa, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimaraes and co fared in the Carabao Cup.
Newcastle made seven changes to the side that started the FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
And they almost got off to a flying start through Yoane Wissa inside the opening five minutes but the striker ended up scuffing his shot over the bar.
There weren’t too many more chances to speak of in the opening 45 minutes for either side as the score remained goalless at the break.
Newcastle started the second half as they started the first, by almost scoring. And it was Wissa again whose looping header from Anthony Gordon’s cross was clawed away by James Trafford in the City goal.
Bruno Guimaraes then hit the post shortly after but it ended up being Man City who took the lead with a back post tap-in from Antoine Semenyo, who made it two goals in as many games following his £64million January arrival from AFC Bournemouth.
The goal happened while Newcastle were temporarily down to 10 men with Jacob Ramsey off the pitch following a knock to the head.
Semenyo thought he’d made it 2-0 just after the hour mark by flicking the ball past Nick Pope but a lengthy VAR check disallowed the goal with Man City striker Erling Haaland deemed in an offside position and interferring with play as he battled with Malick Thiaw next to Pope.
It was a let-off for Newcastle but they couldn’t capitalise despite pushing for an equaliser towards the end. And Man City potentially put the tie to bed deep in stoppage time as Rayan Cherki made it 2-0 to cap off a smart attacking move.
Here are the Newcastle United player ratings from the match...
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Nick Pope - 6
Had little to do in the first half but was alert to catch a low ball on target early in the second. Made a couple of decent stops in the second half.
Lewis Miley - 5
Had a tough task at right-back up against the pace and trickery of Jeremy Doku. Hit a couple of wayward passes but kept his head up and got a foothold in the game.
Malick Thiaw - 7
Had a few good interceptions and challenges. Stood up to Haaland well.
Sven Botman - 7
Made a good sliding challenge to stop Antoine Semenyo breaking away. Generally solid following his new contract.
Lewis Hall - 8
Carried the ball well with some good close control. Calmness personified in possession. Made some important blocks defensively as well. An incredible shift, didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
Bruno Guimaraes - 7
Always showing for the ball and trying to bring Newcastle forward. Hit the post early in the second half. Put in a good shift but tired towards the end. Booked.
Jacob Ramsey - 6
Showed good composure with the ball at his feet, but let down by inconsistent passing. Made some smart defensive contributions when needed. Helpless watching on from the sidelines as Manchester City took the lead.
Joelinton - 6
Glanced a header wide from Anthony Gordon’s cross. Battled well. Booked.
Jacob Murphy - 6
Broke away and put a good ball in for Wissa early on, but the chance went begging. Newcastle’s biggest threat, considering the areas he found himself in. Withdrawn due to injury just before half-time.
Had a couple of good bursts down the left in an otherwise quiet first half. Put a great ball in for Wissa in the second half. Wasn’t alert at the back post to stop Antoine Semenyo pouncing to give the visitors the lead.
Yoane Wissa - 4
Squandered another early chance after being played in by Murphy. A golden opportunity that he scuffed over the bar, he should have done so much better. Felt like a bit of a passenger for the remainder of the half. Saw a looping header clawed away by James Trafford early in the second half. Didn’t cover himself in glory for City’s disallowed goal shortly before being withdrawn.
Substitutes
Harvey Barnes - 5
On for Murphy 45: Introduced at the end of the first half following Murphy’s injury. Allowed the cross into the box for City’s opener. Barely touched the ball in the final third until the closing stages, when he put a great ball in for Woltemade.
Nick Woltemade - 5
On for Wissa 69: Had a couple of heavy touches to be dispossessed. Didn’t get a shot away when in a good position to score. Narrowly missed Barnes’ good cross into the box.
Anthony Elanga - 5
On for Gordon 69: Initially made a positive impact after coming on and posed a threat but dropped his levels and focus after one heavy touch.
Sandro Tonali - 6
On for Ramsey 69: Drilled a shot wide of the right post moments after coming on. Booked.
Kieran Trippier - n/a
On for Guimaraes 87: Played a smart ball to Woltemade in the closing stages. Booked.
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