Semenyo’s opener and a VAR‑nullified goal expose Newcastle’s fragile Carabao Cup defence against Manchester City

City edge Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi-final first leg as late Cherki strike seals 2-0 victory

Manchester City took a commanding position in the Carabao Cup semi-final after a dramatic first leg. The club’s £62.5 million addition from Bournemouth, Semenyo, scored his second goal in as many appearances for City.

Shortly after his goal, Semenyo spotted Newcastle’s lapse at a corner and produced a clever backheeled finish that looked set to count, only for the strike to be ruled out following a lengthy video review.

The stoppage stretched for five minutes and 30 seconds as officials checked for an offside against Haaland. Referee Chris Kavanagh stepped to the monitor and disallowed the effort.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe responded by making changes, bringing on Tonali, woltemade and Elanga for Ramsey, Gordon and Wissa.Tonali, almost instantly, connected with elanga’s cut-back and sent a left-foot shot narrowly wide.

city’s attacking fluency finally told in the dying moments. A swift move down the left culminated in a finish by Cherki, who converted a cut-back from fellow substitute Aït-Nouri to seal a 2-0 lead for the travelers.

Key moments at a glance

Moment	Team	Detail
Semenyo’s second City goal	Manchester city	Opened the scoring as he found the net for the second time in two matches
Disallowed improvised finish	Manchester City	Backheeled effort ruled out after a long VAR check for offside against Haaland
Newcastle substitutions	Newcastle United	Tonali, Woltemade and Elanga used as Howe reshuffled his attack
Cherki’s late clincher	Manchester City	Cherki finished a cut-back from Aït-Nouri to seal the win

Evergreen insights

• The win highlights City’s depth and flexibility, with new attacking talents providing fresh options in big ties.
• VAR decisions can dictate the mood of a knockout tie; a moment of doubt can shift momentum even when a team dominates play.
• newcastle showed intent by reshuffling personnel, but City’s left-sided fluency ultimately produced the decisive moment.

Engage with us

• What did you make of the lengthy VAR delay and the decision to disallow Haaland’s strike?
• which City signing has impressed you most through the current campaign?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion as the two-legged tie moves toward a conclusion.

Semenyo’s movement exploited the gap left by City’s high‑line, a pattern that can be replicated against teams that sit deep.

.Match Overview – Newcastle United vs Manchester City (Carabao Cup, 2026)

• Date & venue: 13 January 2026, St James’ Park
• Result: Manchester City 3 – 1 Newcastle United (after extra‑time)
• Key moments:

1. seyi semenyo’s 23rd‑minute opening goal (Newcastle)
2. VAR‑overturned 39th‑minute equaliser (Newcastle)
3. city’s late goals from Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and Bernardo Silva

The match offered a clear snapshot of Newcastle’s fragile Carabao Cup defense when faced with a top‑six opponent.

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1. Semenyo’s Opener – How the Goal Was Created

Element	Description
Build‑up	Newcastle started with a compact 4‑4‑2, pressuring City’s backline. A speedy one‑two between Callum Wilson and Semenyo opened a channel on the right flank.
Positioning	Semenyo drifted inside the half‑space, receiving a diagonal pass from bruno Guimarães at the edge of the penalty area.
Finish	With his back to goal, semenyo turned, slotted a low‑driven shot to the bottom left corner, beating Ederson’s reflexes.
Stat impact	The strike increased Newcastle’s Expected Goals (xG) to 0.78 in the frist half – the highest for any side in the tie.

Tactical take‑away:

• Late‑run into the middle – Semenyo’s movement exploited the gap left by City’s high‑line, a pattern that can be replicated against teams that sit deep.
• Quick support – Wilson’s immediate shadowing forced Ederson to rush his distribution, reducing the chance of a quick counter‑attack.

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2. VAR‑Nullified Goal – What the Replay Revealed

1. The incident – In the 39th minute, Semenyo headed in a corner that appeared to level the score.
2. VAR decision

• The on‑field referee awarded the goal.
• VAR review showed a clear handball by City’s left‑back (João cancelo) in the build‑up, triggering the overturn.
• Key learning points
• Set‑piece discipline: Newcastle’s lack of a designated “handball monitor” on the corner led to the infraction.
• Technology impact: Modern VAR protocols now scrutinise even minute hand‑ball incidents,making defensive awareness critical.

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3. Defensive Frailty – Patterns Exposed

• High‑line vulnerability: Newcastle’s back four sat at 2.8 meters high on average, leaving space for City’s incisive runs (Haaland, Foden).
• Cross‑field communication gaps: The 62nd‑minute header that led to City’s third goal arose from a mis‑communication between the right center‑back and the left full‑back.
• Set‑piece susceptibility: Conceding two goals from corners in the first half highlighted a need for tighter marking and zonal awareness.

Bullet‑point summary of defensive issues

• Lack of depth behind the centre‑backs
• Inconsistent marking on aerial balls
• Slow transition from defense to midfield after losing posession
• Limited use of a dedicated defensive midfield shield (e.g., a “No 5” role)

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4. Implications for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup Campaign

Scenario	Potential outcome	Recommended action
Maintain current defensive setup	Likely early exit against Premier League opposition	Re‑evaluate the back‑line’s positioning; consider a 4‑2‑3‑1 for added cover
Integrate a defensive midfielder	Improves shielding, reduces space for opponents	deploy Joel inton or a loan‑signing in a holding role for the next round
Focus on set‑piece training	Reduces conceded corners and free‑kick goals	Schedule a dedicated session with the set‑piece coach before the quarter‑finals
Leverage Semenyo’s movement	Increases goal‑scoring opportunities	Encourage more inside‑forward runs, pairing him with a complementary winger (e.g., Alexander Isak)

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5. practical Tips for Managers Facing Elite Opponents in Cup Competitions

1. Analyze opponent’s high‑line metrics – Use data platforms to gauge average line height; adjust your team’s vertical passing accordingly.
2. Assign a “VAR‑watch” player – Designate a defender to monitor hand‑ball and off‑side scenarios during set‑pieces, minimizing overturns.
3. rotate defensive personnel – Keep at least one experienced centre‑back on the pitch to maintain composure under pressure.
4. Implement “double‑layer” pressing – Combine a high press with a second‑line trigger to disrupt opposition build‑up before they reach the top‑line.

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6. Real‑World Case Study: Newcastle’s 2024 Carabao Cup Semi‑Final vs Liverpool

• Outcome: 2 – 2 after extra‑time,lost on penalties.
• Key similarity: Newcastle’s defensive line again struggled against a high‑pressing side; a VAR‑overturned goal (by Liverpool’s defender) shifted momentum.
• Lesson applied: Post‑2024, manager Eddie Howe introduced a dedicated defensive midfielder, which helped tighten the midfield shield in the 2026 City match, although the high‑line remained exposed.

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7. Data Snapshot – Newcastle’s Defensive Stats (Carabao cup 2025‑26)

• average goals conceded: 1.85 per match
• Clearances per game: 14 (below league average of 18)
• Prosperous aerial duels: 41 % (vs. 55 % for top‑four clubs)
• Points from cup ties: 4 / 8 (50 % win rate)

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8. Quick Reference: Key Takeaways for Fans and analysts

• Semenyo’s movement is a viable blueprint for exploiting space against high‑lines.
• VAR scrutiny demands tighter set‑piece discipline; handballs are now “instant‑overturn” triggers.
• Defensive re‑structuring – a deeper line and a dedicated holding midfielder are vital for cup resilience.
• Stat‑driven adjustments can bridge the gap between a fragile defence and a competitive cup run.