Man City to play Arsenal in EFL Cup final after beating Newcastle
Pep Guardiola's side win 5-1 over two legs against holders
City win 3-1 on night after goals from Tijjani Reijnders and Omar Marmoush (2)
Anthony Elanga scores consolation for Magpies
Final at Wembley on 22 March
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (5-1 agg)
So, all roads lead to Wembley.
Sunday, March 22.
Arsenal v Manchester City.
A mouth-watering Carabao Cup final in front of 80,000-plus at the national stadium.
Thanks for your company.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
Micah Richards
Former Man City defender on Sky Sports
The big picture is that Newcastle aren't taking their chances. I think Nick Woltemade is a good player but he is not suiting the system, with how Newcastle want to play.
When Newcastle are at their best, they are on the front foot, counter-attacking and when they went forward Woltemade is nowhere to be seen.
There was a little more impetus when Wissa came on but they need to figure out what they want to be. If they are going to stick with Woltemade up front they need to work out how to get him into the game.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (5-1 agg)
Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live at Etihad Stadium
On whether James Trafford will keep his place in goal for the final:
Of all managers, sentiment just goes for Pep Guardiola. If he feels on the day that Gianluigi Donnarumma's going to win him that game, he will make the change. Rightly or wrongly, he would do it if he feels that's going to give him the edge. Let's see what his defensive line is like, what the situation is over the next few weeks in the league, Champions League, and cup games.
I'd be very disappointed if it happened to me. If we have to look at the bigger picture, he wants to end with the trophy. Trafford has set the tone tonight.
It was a great performance. He has to enjoy these nights.
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
Shay Given
Former Newcastle and Man City keeper on Sky Sports
Newcastle had positives in the first half as well with lots of chances but they didn't finish them off. Elanga got a great goal but had a big miss afterwards as well. It is disappointing for Newcastle, it really is.
There are some worrying games coming up as well.
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (5-1 agg)
Newcastle's next five games:
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on making it to Wembley again: "Many years, many times. Hopefully, we arrive all good, all fit in March to compete against an exceptional, top-class team.
"The two games we make a good result, so we started the game with not 0-0, with 2-0, but we start the game, anything can happen. We start with the right pace, momentum, everything was really, really good."
"The second half, of course, our rhythm, it's hard to sustain it for a long time. We bring energy with Rodri, Rayan [Ait-Nouri] and Erling [Haaland] come on. The energy dropped. Newcastle never stopped to press and run and press. They put three players like [Jacob] Murphy, like [Anthony] Elanga, like [Yoane] Wissa, the complete opposite of what we're looking for, going in behind and run and run, and we suffer.
On the crowd: "We know we have to embrace them through our game. We had to do it and the first half was really good."
On facing Arsenal in the final: "Many things are going to happen. Hopefully, we arrive fit, fine, well, everybody ready. I'm looking forward to that. That is all."
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (5-1 agg)
Michael Brown
Former Manchester City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live at Etihad Stadium
Look at the positives for Newcastle. They created lots of chances. Anthony Elanga came on there and got a decent goal. They had lots of chances after that. They should've got more.
They will be hurting. Their Premier League form is really inconsistent.
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was the start we didn't want. The first goal, Dan has gone to clear the ball and it's gone off their attacker and gone in. That sums up the start of the game we had. It was the opposite of what we wanted and it took the game away from us."
On if his side were punished for not taking chances: "In both games if you look back. We are frustrated we only scored one goal in two games. We don't feel we should have lost the first leg 2-0 on the balance of opportunities created. It could have been different but we accept the reality. The last thing you want to do is have to chase a game. We were going for the match, we were trying to attack."
On Anthony Gordon: "It looks like hamstring injury, I don't think it looks too bad."
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (5-1 agg)
Isaac Hayden
Former Newcastle midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesFor me, Eddie Howe is a legend for what he's done for the club from taking them from where they were when he first joined to where they are now. It's chalk and cheese. I know there's been a lot of investment but there needed to be to compete with where he's competing now.
For me, the progress that he's made with some of the players that have been there a long time, Joelinton, Fabian Schar, Jacob Murphy, he improves players, he makes them better.
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After being given numerous chances to show why we bought them, Woltemade, Wissa, Ramsey and Elanga are all proving to be a waste of money. Not sure how much involvement Eddie had in these deals. The squad is totally inadequate to achieve any success.
Rodman, Durham
Man City 3-1 Newcastle (5-1 agg)
This result means Manchester City's scheduled Premier League home game with Crystal Palace on 21 March will have to be rearranged.
Pep Guardiola and his players have a date at the national stadium on 22 March.
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Nine domestic finals in 10 years for Pep with City. What an incredible record. We can park the League Cup & Champions League. Still fighting hard on four fronts!
Paul, Northwich
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
More from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: "Hopefully we can arrive with players fit and hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc [Guehi] can play in the final because it's difficult to understand. The club made a big investment to take one player.
"He belongs to us and I don't understand why he cannot play the final.
"Hopefully we make a letter and hopefully the Carabao Cup or whatever can understand that when you buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play for a rule, I don't understand why.
"Hopefully they can change it."
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I do still think Arsenal are beating us at Wembley. Their weaknesses pale in comparison to ours. Not in injuries, just in play style. I think we leave a lot more room for exploitation than they do. Still, I love a final and playing the best teams is always a pleasure.
Harry
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to Sky Sports: "With Newcastle you can never control them completely. They had a one against one with James [Trafford] - James was unbelievable especially in the first half. I know the rhythm the players have and we saw it. Newcastle are a Champions League team with top-class players. It was an incredibly intense game in all departments but the guys were really good.
"In March we go to Wembley again. We will travel to London again, they [Arsenal] will wait for us there. They never travel to the north [for finals] but I am really happy to be back. Five ties in 10 years is a big milestone."
On Omar Marmoush: "His movements are really top. The movements in behind and the incredible sense of goal. Really pleased for him. That type of game can always be complicated mentally but we started really well."
On James Trafford's development: "I said from the beginning he is a top keeper. He has an incredible future ahead of him. He is going to play in the first Carabao Cup final for him."
On some players having the chance to win a first trophy with the club: "It will be good. You have to live this experience. The first title we won here was in the Carabao Cup. When you win something, it helps to win more. It's a pleasure to play against Arsenal, the best team right now in Europe and maybe the world."
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Quadruple is on for both Man City and Arsenal.
Phil, Berkshire
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City goalscorer Tijjani Reijnders, speaking to Sky Sports: "We were very eager to go to the final and we showed that from the first minute. Amazing team performance."
On if tonight was a more controlled performance: "Yeah. Despite the goal we had against us we controlled the game much more. That is something we have to build on. Today was a better performance and from that we can build."
On his goal: "I was a bit surprised that there was so much space in between the lines. With players like Phil [Foden] and me, when we get that space we can attack very quick and that was nice today."
On how the winning mentality from other players rubs off: "I play football because I want to win trophies. Now I am going to Wembley for the first time that will be amazing. We will do everything to win the Carabao Cup."
On if the Premier League gap will fuel Man City to beat Arsenal: "Yes, of course. It will be a tough match, but we will be very hungry and we want to win this title. They play amazing and they are a really balanced team. We have to analyse and see where we can gain our strength."
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I love football: Pep complains about too many games and injuries, but at 5-1 on aggregate and 68 minutes into the game he introduces Cherki and Haaland rather than let fringe players who had less opportunities to play and get some game time. Very puzzling
FT: Man City 3-1 Newcastle (agg 5-1)
Shay Given
Former Newcastle and Man City keeper on Sky Sports
It's a transitional period but Newcastle have been successful, winning this competition last year and getting Champions League football. There has been progression but it feels like there has been a step back in the Premier League.
There are question marks over Nick Woltemade. Where does he play and how do you get the best of him? Yoane Wissa is not fully fit yet. They are still creating chances which is a positive for Eddie Howe but Manchester City could have scored more goals. I feel that the balance of the team isn't right.
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Image source, Getty ImagesCJ Chandler: City were clearly the better team in both legs, but luck did play a part. All three of the goals tonight had a little fortune involved in one way or another.
This was perhaps one of the better recent Newcastle performances in terms of creating chances. Sadly, the finishing let us down.
Hopefully Elanga can build on his goal. His recent performances have been a bit of an improvement.
Five of Omar Marmoush's 12 goals for Manchester City have come against Newcastle at Etihad Stadium
At a glance
Manchester City thrash holders Newcastle to set up Carabao Cup final against Arsenal
Omar Marmoush double and Tijjani Reijnders seal victory for Pep Guardiola's side
Anthony Gordon hobbles off injured for Newcastle
Manchester City booked a tantalising Carabao Cup final against Premier League leaders Arsenal by hammering holders Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in a one-sided semi-final.
Trailing 2-0 heading into the second leg, Eddie Howe's side needed something special in Wednesday's return game at Etihad Stadium but endured the worst possible start as Omar Marmoush's sixth minute goal set City on their way to a 10th final in the competition.
Marmoush, starting in place of Erling Haaland, nipped in and saw a deflected strike loop over Aaron Ramsdale and into the back of the net, while the Newcastle goalkeeper denied Tijjani Reijnders with a stunning save shortly after.
The visitors had chances to hit back but James Trafford did brilliantly to smother the ball at the feet of both Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon - and those near misses proved severe as they were punished by City thereafter.
Marmoush headed in from close range on the half hour mark and Reijnders slotted in a loose ball before half-time to make certain of the tie and allow the home supporters to enjoy a stress-free second period.
Anthony Elanga pulled a goal back for Newcastle on 62 minutes with a fine curling effort and Harvey Barnes had another disallowed.
But the damage had long been done as Pep Guardiola's side confirmed their place in the League Cup final on Sunday, 22 March at Wembley Stadium.
In a week where uncertainty was cast on Guardiola's long-term future at City, the Spaniard saw his side take apart Newcastle to ensure another crack at glory.
"Wembley again, ole ole," was the chant from the home faithful at full-time as they prepare to visit the national stadium for the 22nd time since Guardiola's appointment as boss in 2016.
City's last trip to the capital for a final ended in a shock FA Cup defeat by Crystal Palace in May, but Guardiola will have the opportunity to make amends by adding a 19th trophy to his illustrious career.
His first piece of silverware came in this competition in 2017, with Mikel Arteta by his side, but Guardiola's compatriot will now be aiming to plot his downfall and put an end to Arsenal's tag of 'nearly men'.
Next month's final not only pits master against his apprentice, but also the top two sides in English football - the Gunners looking to deal a psychological blow as they hold a six-point lead at the summit of the Premier League.
Newcastle had a monumental task on their hands after Rayan Cherki's late goal at St James' Park put City 2-0 ahead, and Marmoush's first-half double in the second leg killed any hope Eddie Howe and his supporters may have had.
The Egyptian could have had a hat-trick and though he was denied by Ramsdale, the result maintained City's imperious record against Newcastle, now winning 18 of their past 19 home meetings dating back to 2014, including a remarkable 12 in a row.
History was always against the holders.
No side have ever reached a Carabao Cup final after losing the first leg at home by two or more goals.
Newcastle have also only ever won once at the Etihad.
But this game got away from Howe's team far too quickly.
As much as Newcastle found former target Trafford in fine form, the visitors were easily undone time and time again in the first half as they naively left gaps in an attempt to, somehow, get back into the tie.
Newcastle's midfield was repeatedly bypassed while a leggy back five struggled to handle Marmoush.
At one stage, a disconsolate Dan Burn - the hero of the club's Wembley triumph less than a year ago - sat on the turf with his hands covering his face after Reijnders scored Manchester City's third goal.
It summed up Newcastle's opening 45 minutes as gallows humour later spread across the away end and the travelling support chanted: "We're going to win 6-5!"
Having already lost Gordon to a hamstring injury, it was rather telling that Howe made three further changes at half-time in an effort to jolt his side.
Newcastle duly rallied after the break following a fine individual goal from Elanga, who also went on to miss a sitter, as the visitors ended a seven-and-a-half-year wait to score at the Etihad.
Wasteful Newcastle could have scored several more, but this heavy aggregate defeat was not the way the holders wanted to hand over the trophy they had waited so long to win.
Manchester City head to champions Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 GMT), while Newcastle host Brentford on Saturday (17:30).
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Manager:Pep Guardiola
Formation:4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager:Eddie Howe
Formation:3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Manager:Pep Guardiola
Formation:4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Manager:Eddie Howe
Formation:3 - 4 - 1 - 2
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