Antoine Semenyo was on target for Manchester City against Newcastle(Image: )
Antoine Semenyo showed exactly why Manchester City bought him this month with a goal that gives them an important advantage in their Carabao Cup semi-final. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was unhappy before the game started that Semenyo was eligible having already played for Bournemouth this season, and is unlikely to be any calmer after a 2-0 defeat.
Semenyo made the breakthrough at the back post after 53 minutes following good work from Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva to touch the ball on. The 26-year-old thought he had another shortly after from a corner but it was ruled out for offside after the referee had reviewed it on the monitor following a lengthy VAR review.
That boosted Newcastle and they made a raft of changes to try and get back on level terms on the night. However, City's defence stood tall in an excellent display from the team and Rayan Cherki added a second deep in injury time. Here are the player ratings from the _Manchester Evening News_.
**Trafford:** Some good saves and at least one outstanding one to protect City's goal in an excellent performance. **8**
**Nunes:** City needed his physicality and benefitted from it at times, but he was always in trouble after a mistimed tackle on Gordon earned him a yellow. **6**
**Khusanov:** An early moment where he jumped in and didn't get the ball, but pretty much faultless after that. **7**
**Alleyne:** His dream start at the club continues with another solid performance, showing confidence again on the ball. **7**
**Ake:** He was beaten for pace at times but his intelligence remains high and Guardiola used him to get messages across. **7**
**O'Reilly:** It takes a special player to step into a midfield battle with Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes and hold your own. And he is. **7**
**Silva:** An important touch for the goal and he combined his industry with leading the team, although he lost his cool at times. **7**
**Foden:** There were signs of improvement after a rest at the weekend but he still needs to find his top form again. **6**
**Semenyo:** A quiet first half but good awareness for the opening goal and was horribly unlucky to see a second ruled out. **8**
**Doku:** Always looked the City player most likely to create something and he forged the first after escaping his double marking. **8**
**Haaland:** Unfortunate for the second goal, defended well, is still looking a little leaden-footed up front. **6**
**Rodri (for O'Reilly 62)** Just about kept a lid on the game and defended manfully. **7**
**Reijnders (for Foden, 62)** Dropped to help Rodri but teamed up with Haaland. **7**
**Lewis (for Nunes, 62)** Helped City to keep the ball. **6**
**Cherki (for Doku, 77)** Some nice balls through that nearly came off and then the important second. **7**
**Ait-Nouri (for Ake, 88)** Terrific for the assist for Cherki. **7**
**Not used:** Donnarumma, Gray, Mukasa, Cherki, McAidoo