Manchester City booked their return to the Carabao Cup final in emphatic style after completing a ruthless 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side had taken control of the semi-final with a first-leg win on Tyneside in January and wasted no time finishing the job at home.
Omar Marmoush was the star of the night, scoring twice in a dominant first-half display, with Tijjani Reijnders adding a third before the break.
City struck early when Marmoush opened the scoring in the seventh minute in fortunate fashion. The Egyptian forward burst into the penalty area and, under pressure from Dan Burn’s desperate challenge, saw the ball ricochet off him and loop into the net.
Newcastle had brief chances to respond, but City goalkeeper James Trafford stood firm, first denying Joe Willock at close range before producing another crucial save to stop Anthony Gordon. Those missed opportunities proved costly as City took full control.
Marmoush doubled the advantage in the 29th minute, heading home from virtually on the goal line after Kieran Trippier failed to clear Antoine Semenyo’s dangerous cross.
Just three minutes later, City struck again on the counter-attack, with Reijnders leading the break before finishing Semenyo’s return pass with a composed low drive from 12 yards.
City eased off after the interval and Newcastle managed a consolation goal in the 62nd minute through Anthony Elanga, who curled a fine finish into the far corner after weaving through the defence.
However, it did little to change the outcome as City cruised through.
The victory sends Guardiola’s men to the Carabao Cup final for the first time since 2021, where they will face Arsenal at Wembley on March 22. The Gunners sealed their place after knocking out Chelsea earlier in the week.
Reaching the final comes as a timely boost for Guardiola following Sunday’s frustrating 2-2 draw with Tottenham, where City surrendered a two-goal lead.
With a crucial trip to Liverpool looming and City trailing Arsenal by six points in the Premier League title race, silverware offers the clearest response to growing talk of decline.
Guardiola, who recently defended City against criticism over spending, knows trophies remain his strongest argument.
After finishing last season without silverware for the first time in eight years, ending the drought against Arsenal would be the perfect statement.
