Newcastle United vs Manchester City; Carabao Cup Semi-Final
Newcastle United vs Manchester City. Carabao Cup Semi-Final.
St James' Park, NewcastleAttendance51,392.
Newcastle 0-2 Man City: Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki hand Pep Guardiola's side Carabao Cup semi-final advantage
Report and highlights as Antoine Semenyo scored but was controversially denied a second goal by a lengthy VAR review; the winger has found the net in each of his first two Man City appearances; Rayan Cherki added a stoppage-time second
Wednesday 14 January 2026 08:40, UK
Antoine Semenyo made it two from two for new club Manchester City as they took hold of their Carabao Cup semi-final with a 2-0 first-leg win at Newcastle - but saw Pep Guardiola embark on a four-minute takedown of VAR after the winger was denied another goal.
Semenyo's opener, teed up by expertly by Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva, was swiftly followed by another with a clever finish from a corner, only for referee Chris Kavanagh to be sent to the pitch-side monitor to review what he would determine was a "subjective offside" concerning Erling Haaland.
There was no doubt the City striker was marginally ahead of the last defender, but his offence more centred around an alleged interference with Malick Thiaw close to the defender's goal-line. VAR deemed Haaland to be impeding and after a delay lasting almost six minutes, eventually Kavanagh agreed.
That left the first leg of the semi-final on a knife edge until the ninth minute of added time when Rayan Cherki ensured City took a two-goal advantage back to the Etihad by sweeping beyond Nick Pope. All of the last 19 away sides to win the first leg of a League Cup semi-final have gone on to reach the final, a run dating back to the 1980s.
Despite that, the topic of VAR remained a major topic of conversation after the game given the length of stoppage it had incurred. Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp was particularly unimpressed.
"We can all agree VAR is bad for everyone," he said. "It's not enhanced our game. It's just a matter of opinion. Those six minutes bored us silly."
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The decision itself incensed Guardiola sufficiently to bring back memories of City's last trip to St James' Park in November, when he felt his side did not get the rub of the green in a 2-1 Premier League defeat.
He told Sky Sports. "It's okay. We know how it works and that will make us stronger. It's always about that. In that situation it's how we react and compete.
"Take a look at the game here [in the Premier League], it's two unbelievable penalties and no intervention. In the league game here, 60 minutes and 20 minutes, take a look.
"Nine minutes extra means it takes time for the VAR to take a decision, and it should be the referee to do it.
"The big teams overcome these situations. Not because we won, no, no. It's part of the game, we have to do it better."
Shortly before Semenyo's disallowed strike, Yoane Wissa had an effort clawed away by goalkeeper James Trafford to add to a glaring miss in the first half, while Bruno Guimaraes thundered against the woodwork. All four of the big chances the hosts generated were squandered, with City the only side to prevent Newcastle scoring at home all season.
The return leg takes place next month and it's Guardiola's side who hold a significant advantage - Newcastle haven't won at the Etihad since 2014, when Alan Pardew was manager.
'VAR wasn't introduced to re-referee games'
Sky Sports' Micah Richards on Semenyo's disallowed goal:
"I understand the process but VAR wasn't brought in for this. This was anti-goal, which they said they weren't going to do.
"If you look at Thiaw and Haaland, they both have hold of each other. They are both going at it.
"While the decision may be technically right, I don't think goals should be ruled out for this."
Guardiola airs VAR grievance
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola:
On Haaland and Semenyo's relationship: "They were not completely connected. We play a bit more passes for them and they were not ready. In the second half they were much more connected."
On the disallowed goal: "It's OK. We know how it works and that will make us stronger. It's always about that. In that situation it's how we react and compete. Take a look at the game here [in the Premier League], it's two unbelievable penalties and no intervention. In the league game here, 60 minutes and 20 minutes, take a look.
"Nine minutes extra means it takes time for the VAR to take a decision, and it should be the referee to do it.
"The big teams overcome these situations. Not because we won, no, no. It's part of the game, we have to do it better."
When asked if the decision could still have an impact, he added: "That's not the point. Newcastle could score goals too.
"It's about VAR taking nine minutes [five minutes] to disallow a goal and why they didn't even say anything about the two insane penalties at 0-0 in Newcastle."
Semenyo praises 'perfect' Man City environment
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo:
"The whole environment here is perfect. Everyone is confident and wanting to achieve the best. I have come into that and they helped with my confidence and made me feel welcome.
"It's been a lot but I have enjoyed it so far. I am picking things up very quickly and enjoying it.
"I am just taking the confidence I had from Bournemouth here and playing with a smile on my face. I am enjoying every moment."
'Cherki has been the signing of the season'
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
"You never know how players like this will adjust to the Premier League. Cherki has shown he can do it with the ball and without it. You want to watch players light the stadium up. He's been an unbelievable signing.
"The signing of the season for me. I love to watch mavericks play football. He makes the ball talk, like it's his friend."
Howe: Punished for 'naivety'
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe:
"It's a body blow [to concede in the last minute] but not fatal at the moment. We're still in there fighting. I think maybe a bit of naivety with a minute to go on the clock, that we're still trying to chase a goal.
"In that moment, we needed to defend after we got our structure wrong from that position, and we got punished.
"There was a bit of fatigue in our performance, but I can't fault the players."
