Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City: Report, result, goals as Semenyo and Cherki score in EFL Cup first-leg win

Antoine Semenyo continued his fine start to life as a Manchester City player, scoring for the second game running as City beat Newcastle 2-0 in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg at St James’ Park.

Semenyo scored the opening goal of the game after 53 minutes and saw another ruled out before substitute Rayan Cherki added a second in stoppage time to give Pep Guardiola’s side a healthy advantage over the competition holders.

Semenyo’s goal comes after the Ghana international opened his City account on his debut in the 10-1 thrashing of Exeter City in the FA Cup Third Round on Saturday.

In a first-half of very few chances, the best opportunity fell to the hosts. Inside the opening five minutes, a sweeping move from Newcastle’s defensive third led to Anthony Gordon switching to Jacob Murphy, who in turn delivered a low cross to Yoane Wissa.

However, Wissa’s snatched shot from a central area flew high over the bar.

From there, neither James Trafford in the City goal or Nick Pope in the Newcastle net was really tested.

Eddie Howe’s team were dealt a blow on the stroke of half-time when Murphy was forced off with injury, replaced by the in-form Harvey Barnes.

Shortly after the break, Wissa nearly atoned for his earlier miss when his header was tipped onto the woodwork by Trafford.

From the same attack, Bruno Guimaraes rattled the post as the Magpies went in search of the opener.

But it was the visitors who broke the deadlock. Moments later, a low cross from Jeremy Doku took a little flick off Bernardo Silva before falling to the feet of the onrushing Semenyo.

Just a few yards out, City’s new signing could hardly miss, tapping home to score his second goal in as many games for his new club.

Not long after, Semenyo thought he’s doubled his tally for the evening when, marked closely by Wissa and with his back to goal from a corner, the Ghana international produced an audacious flick to turn the ball goal-bound.

However, after a lengthy VAR check, referee Chris Kavanagh ruled out the goal after Erling Haaland was deemed to have been in an offside position.

The decision appeared to momentarily rejuvenate both the Newcastle fans and players, with substitute Sandro Tonali fired narrowly wide as the game entered the final quarter of an hour.

City sub Cherki then drew a stop from Pope before Nick Woltemade was inches from connecting with a Barnes cross late on.

But it was Cherki who had the final say, sweeping home in the 99th minute to give City a two-goal cushion to take back to the Etihad in just over three weeks’ time.