Newcastle United 0 Manchester City 2: match reportCity take a two-goal advantage back to the Etihad in Carabao Cup semi-final despite VAR controversy
Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 2-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at St James Park to ensure they will have a two-goal cushion to defend on home turf in three weeks’ time. The Blues previously faced Exeter in the FA cup at the weekend, winning 10-1. Trafford started again in goal. Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, and Ake were the back four. O’Reilly, Foden, and Bernardo were in midfield with Doku, Semenyo, and Haaland in attack.
The Blues were on the back foot for most of the first half and Newcastle had the better chances in this period of the game. In the fifth minute, the home side were almost in front when Murphy picked out Wissa in a very good position in the box, but the resulting shot was over the bar.
A few moments later, Bernardo almost found Haaland at the other end, but the striker couldn’t quite get there and the ball was cleared away. Newcastle continued their pursuit of a lead and Gordon crossed in from the left to Joelinton in a very good position, but the resulting header was wide. Despite Newcastle’s chances they could not break the deadlock in the first half
Newcastle continued to pile on the pressure at the start of the second half, Wissa once again had an attempt on goal, heading a cross from Gordon towards the net which almost very nearly dipped in but an excellent save from Trafford kept him out. A few minutes later, Guimaraes then hit the post, adding more frustration to the home side.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute by the Blues. Doku ran down the wing and crossed into the box, Bernardo got a touch on the ball and it fell to Semenyo on the right who tapped the ball in to make it 1-0 to City.
In the 61st minute, City had a corner after a clearance from Thiaw. The resulting ball in from Reijnders fell to Semenyo who had the ball in yet again to double the Blues lead. However, after a very lengthy VAR check that lasted six minutes, it was ajudged that Haaland had been obstructive in an offside position when the ball went in and the goal was disallowed and City’s lead remained 1-0. A huge let off for the home side.
Newcastle attempted to take advantage of this and find an equaliser but frustratingly couldn’t find the net. Tonali missed a chance from just outside the box, going narrowly wide and Woltemade almost connected with a cross but couldn’t quite get there.
Deep into added time, the Blues finally found a two-goal advantage from Cherki, who struck the ball home after a very good move created by his flick on to Ait Nouri who dribbled into the box and returned the ball to him to seal a 2-0 win for City.
Manchester City will go to the Etihad with a 2-0 aggregate lead which they will be more than happy with. Despite the win, VAR and the officiating appear to be taking the spotlight again, with Semenyo and Guardiola both expressing their disapproval publicly of the decision to rule the goal out in the aftermath of the game. Next up for the Blues is Manchester United away on Saturday at 12:30
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