Semenyo an instant hit as City close in on League Cup final

Antoine Semenyo made himself an instant Manchester City hero as Pep Guardiola’s men took a giant stride towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 win at Newcastle.

The Ghana international, who joined from Bournemouth for £65 million ($87 million) last week, opened the scoring and also had a second goal controversially ruled out.

But Rayan Cherki delivered what could be the knockout blow to the holders in the 98th minute.

The Magpies ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy by winning the League Cup last season, but will need a heroic fightback to reach Wembley when the sides meet again for the second leg of the semi-final on February 4.

Semenyo also scored on his debut on Saturday in a 10-1 demolition of Exeter in the FA Cup.

In previous years he would have been cup-tied after featuring for Bournemouth earlier in the competition.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe made clear his dissatisfaction before the game with a rule change this season that allows players to play for two clubs in the one campaign and City took full advantage.

Guardiola showed his desire to reach the final for the first time since 2021 as Erling Haaland made a first League Cup start in three years in a strong City selection just days before they visit Manchester United in the Premier League.

Yoane Wissa blazed a glorious early chance over the bar as Newcastle roared out of the blocks in front of a packed St. James’ Park.

But that was the closest either side came in a cagey first half.

City goalkeeper James Trafford had been a long-term target for Newcastle prior to his return to the Etihad from Burnley in July.

The England under-21 international has had to play second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma for most of the season but proved his worth with a stunning save to claw away Wissa’s looping header early in the second half.

Seconds later, Bruno Guimaraes blasted against the post as Newcastle pressed for the opening.

But they were caught with a sucker punch at the other end when Jeremy Doku sped towards the by-line and his cross was turned by Bernardo Silva into the path of Semenyo to prod home from close range.

Semenyo thought he had a third City goal in two appearances when he acrobatically flicked in from a corner.

However, after a VAR review lasting over five minutes, the officials finally adjudged that Haaland had prevented Malick Thiaw’s ability to play the ball from an offside position.

The vociferous home crowd celebrated the let-off like a goal but their side failed to find the net despite a late flurry of chances for Nick Woltemade.

And City’s threat on the counter-attack was finally realised when Cherki swept in Rayan Ait-Nouri’s low cross to secure a commanding first-leg lead.

Meanwhile, Semenyo believes he is in the perfect place to thrive after scoring in each of his first two games for Manchester City.

“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,” said Semenyo, who now has 12 goals in all competitions this season.

“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.”

Despite taking a commanding lead, City were still furious at the decision with Pep Guardiola citing two penalties his side were not awarded in their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle earlier in the season in the Premier League.

“It should have been 3-0 but we are quite used to this at the moment,” said City captain Bernardo Silva.

“It is so frustrating because the last time we came here we also had a lot of decisions go against us.”

Meanwhile, the US midfielder Sam Coffey joined Manchester City from the Portland Thorns on Wednesday, signing a 3 1/2-year contract. The fee was worth a reported $800,000.

Coffey, who won Olympic gold and the SheBelieves Cup with the USWNT, was described by City as one of the best players in the world.

“Sam is playing at the top of her game, and I think her decision to come here shows the incredible progress we’ve made as a club and the ambitions we have moving forward,” said City director of football Therese Sjogran.

City hopes the 27-year-old Coffey will help lead the club to the Women’s Super League title this season, with Andree Jeglertz’s team currently top of the standings. Its only league title came back in 2016, with Chelsea dominating the division over the past 11 years.

“It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city,” Coffey said about City. “I think it’s also a place that just has proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.”

Coffey won the NWSL championship with Portland.

“Sam’s reputation as one of the world’s best speaks for itself, and we’re delighted she’s chosen to come here ahead of other potential suitors,” Sjogran said. “We believe she has all the qualities needed to thrive at City and, more broadly, the WSL, and we’re excited to see how she can elevate our already superb squad of players.”

Agencies