City to face Arsenal in Carabao cup final after eliminating Newcastle

Manchester City have booked their place in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final, where they will face Arsenal, after a commanding 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium sealed a 5-1 aggregate win in the semi-finals.

Pep Guardiola’s side arrived for the second leg already in control, holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg at St James’ Park, and they wasted little time in asserting their dominance.

Omar Marmoush opened the scoring inside seven minutes, his effort taking a fortunate deflection off Dan Burn and looping beyond goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Egyptian forward struck again midway through the first half, nodding home from close range at the back post to leave Newcastle facing an uphill battle.

Newcastle did create chances before the break, with Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon both testing City’s goalkeeper James Trafford, who produced two fine saves to preserve his side’s growing lead.

Any lingering hopes of a comeback were shuttered before half-time when Tijjani Reijnders calmly slotted past Ramsdale to make it 3-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate.

Eddie Howe’s holders showed more intent after the break but continued to squander opportunities, with substitute Yoane Wissa firing wide. They eventually pulled a goal back through Anthony Elanga, who curled a fine effort beyond Trafford, but it proved little more than consolation.

Elanga later missed a clear chance to reduce the deficit further, failing to convert from close range after Harvey Barnes’ inviting pass.

Erling Haaland was introduced from the bench and forced a couple of saves from Ramsdale, but City were rarely troubled as they comfortably saw out the match.

The win sends Manchester City into their first League Cup final in four years, having previously lifted the trophy in four consecutive seasons between 2018 and 2021. They will now turn their attention to Arsenal, as Guardiola’s side look to add another piece of silverware to their impressive collection.

Arsenal eliminated Chelsea with a 4-2 win on aggregate, beating Chelsea 3-2 away and 1-0 at the Emirates.