Newcastle v Manchester City, Getty Images January 14, 2026, 12:02 AM

The calendar of English football at the beginning of the calendar year is very intense, because it is traditionally mixed with many tournaments, which makes the fans’ heads spin. The English League Cup, the need for which is questioned in every draw, but is still held and continues, is also present here. And if it has already reached the semi-final stage, which consists of two confrontations for each pair, then why not pay a little attention to this competition as well.

Especially since in the current season, the couples turned out to be quite famous. In particular, Newcastle got Manchester City with the need to play the first part of the duel at St. James Park, where the “townsmen” already lost in the first round this season. Both then and now, the staffing situation in both teams raised certain questions, so Eddie Guo and Josep Guardiola were hardly delighted when fate once again determined the need for them to meet each other.

It is clear that the “magpies” wanted to win the support of their own fans and secure at least some acceptable result in the home arena. And at least in terms of building the game in defense in the first half, they were as reliable as possible. The guests did not have a single scoring opportunity, while Newcastle did wait for a counterattack, but Wissa launched the ball over the goal from the left wing of the free kick at the very beginning of the match.

In the second half of the game, the team clearly made up for the shortcomings of the first half in terms of attack. The situation could have taken an unexpected turn at the moment with a shot at his own goal from Gordon, who had to parry Pope on the line. And a moment after that, Trafford had to pull a header from the same Wiss under the crossbar, after which Bruno Guimaraes tested the strength of the left post.

After that, City again moved the game to the other side of the field, and this time they did not leave without scoring a goal. In the 53rd minute, Doku’s cross from the left flank on the near Bernarda was converted into a long shot by Semenyo into an empty net. So the “winter” newcomer “townsman” said his word again. But Newcastle was definitely not supposed to be swayed by this success of its rivals.

It would be a different matter if Semenyo’s second goal in this game was scored by the referees in the 63rd minute, but during the kick of the Ghanaian striker, the referees on VAR did find Holland offside, who was located a little closer to the goal, when the partner hit the goalkeeper from a corner kick from the left wing of the Rangers, who had just arrived on the football field. The decision was greeted with a standing ovation at St James’ Park, otherwise Newcastle could have been out of the game midway through the second half.

Instead, the “magpies” got a little more time to offer something in attack, but they were not as persistent in the final stage as before. And in the end, the appearance on the field of a fresh Sherky gave Guardiola’s team not only to close this game with another goal as a result of the wall of two Ryans on the left flank of the penalty area, but also to create a very important handicap for themselves for the future. Because the calendar of the “townsmen” is really crazy.

Newcastle: Pope – J. Murphy (Barnes, 45+2), Thiaw, Bothman, Hall – Miley, Joelinton, Guimaraes (Trippier, 87) – Ramsey (Tonali, 69), Wissa (Woltemade, 69), Gordon (Elanga, 69).