In a demonstration of clinical efficiency, Manchester City swept past the defending champions Newcastle United with a commanding 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, securing a 5-1 aggregate win and a place in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on March 22.
The contest, effectively settled by a devastating first-half blitz, sets up a highly anticipated Wembley showdown between the top two sides in English football and their master-apprentice managers, Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
From the opening whistle, City exhibited a ruthless edge that belied any pressure of a semi-final.
With just seven minutes played, Omar Marmoush capitalised on a fortuitous deflection off Dan Burn, seeing his effort loop over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to extend City’s aggregate lead to three goals. Newcastle, tasked with a monumental comeback, responded with intent and created clear opportunities, but each was thwarted by an inspired James Trafford in the City goal.
The young goalkeeper made crucial saves at the feet of Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon to preserve his side’s lead.
Those missed chances proved fatal for Eddie Howe’s side. On the half-hour mark, Marmoush struck again, nodding in from close range after a deflected cross. Just three minutes later, the tie was put beyond all doubt.
A rapid counter-attack, emblematic of City’s new-found direct threat, ended with Tijjani Reijnders calmly slotting home to make it 3-0 on the night and an insurmountable 5-0 on aggregate.
The first-half performance was a breathless display of attacking football that left Newcastle’s hopes in tatters.
The second half offered a glimpse of what might have been for the holders, who showed admirable spirit despite the impossible task. Substitute Anthony Elanga provided a moment of individual brilliance, cutting inside and curling a superb consolation goal into the far corner on the 62nd minute.
Newcastle continued to probe and even had the ball in the net again through Harvey Barnes, only for it to be ruled out for offside, while Elanga later squandered a golden chance to add another.
As the match wound down, Pep Guardiola introduced his star substitutes, with Erling Haaland going close on multiple occasions, only to be denied by Ramsdale.
The final whistle confirmed City’s passage to a fifth League Cup final under Guardiola, their 22nd trip to Wembley since his arrival.
For Newcastle, the defence of their first domestic trophy in 70 years is over, their exit sealed by a relentless City performance that highlighted the gulf between the sides over the two legs.
In his post-match interview, two-goal hero Omar Marmoush encapsulated the team’s mentality, stating, “We showed a very good mentality… from the first minute we were very focused on the job.” Looking ahead to the final, he added, “We are here to win trophies. We give our best every day to reach these finals and win silverware”.
The stage is now set for a classic final at Wembley, where Guardiola will seek his fifth League Cup crown against an Arsenal side led by his former protégé, promising a compelling tactical battle between the Premier League’s leading forces.