Manchester City seized a commanding lead in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United, thanks to goals from Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. But here's where it gets controversial... Semenyo, a recent £65m acquisition from Bournemouth, has already proven his worth, yet his eligibility to play on Tuesday night sparked debate due to a rule change allowing him to feature despite his earlier participation with Bournemouth in the competition. Newcastle’s frustration was palpable, especially after hitting the woodwork twice when the score was still goalless. Manchester City’s goalkeeper, James Trafford, played a pivotal role, denying Yoane Wissa and Bruno Guimaraes with crucial saves. Wissa’s missed opportunity from close range will haunt Newcastle, who now face an uphill battle in the return leg. And this is the part most people miss... Semenyo’s disallowed goal in the second half, ruled out after a lengthy VAR review, added to the drama, with City staff and fans left perplexed by the decision’s timing. Cherki’s late strike in the 98th minute felt like a knockout blow, leaving Newcastle supporters deflated. The atmosphere at St James’ Park was electric, with fans dreaming of a repeat of last week’s dramatic comeback against Leeds United, but it wasn’t to be. Boldly, one must ask: Can Newcastle overcome their Etihad curse and turn this tie around? Eddie Howe remains optimistic, citing last year’s 2-0 win at Arsenal as a precedent, but the challenge is immense. Newcastle have only won once at the Etihad and have yet to score there under Howe’s tenure. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side, fresh from a 10-1 FA Cup win over Exeter City, showcased their dominance, with Semenyo’s seamless integration into the team and Cherki’s late heroics highlighting their depth. Erling Haaland’s struggles continued, but City’s collective strength prevailed. With a two-goal advantage and a history of progressing from semi-finals, City are now heavy favorites to return to Wembley. What do you think? Can Newcastle pull off a miracle, or is City’s path to the final all but assured? Let’s discuss in the comments!
