Man City Reach Carabao Cup Final After Dominant 3-1 Win Over Newcastle
Manchester City booked their place in the 2026 Carabao Cup final with a commanding 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium, completing a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate triumph. Omar Marmoush's sensational first-half brace and Tijjani Reijnders' clinical finish secured City's path to Wembley, where they'll face Premier League leaders Arsenal on March 22.
Marmoush's Masterclass Seals City's Fate
The Egyptian striker wasted no time crushing Newcastle's comeback hopes, opening the scoring in just the seventh minute. Though fortunate with the finish—his shot deflecting off Dan Burn's sliding challenge before looping over Aaron Ramsdale—Marmoush showed his predatory instincts throughout the match.
His second goal arrived before the half-hour mark, capitalizing on Kieran Trippier's failed clearance attempt. The 28-year-old rose unmarked to head home from just yards out, effectively ending the tie as a contest. Marmoush has now netted an impressive 12 goals for City this season, with five coming against Newcastle at the Etihad alone—a remarkable statistic highlighting his dominance against the Magpies.
Reijnders Adds Third Before Halftime
Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders proved instrumental in City's dominant first-half display, both creating and scoring. After breaking from deep to set up Marmoush's second, the Dutchman applied the finishing touch himself moments later when Antoine Semenyo's effort was blocked by Burn. City led 3-0 at halftime with a 5-0 aggregate advantage, turning the semi-final into a formality.
Newcastle's Injury Blow
To compound Newcastle's misery, forward Anthony Gordon limped off injured before the break, forcing manager Eddie Howe to reshuffle his attacking options. The England international had shown glimpses of danger, firing at James Trafford and setting up Joe Willock, but his early departure dealt another blow to the visitors' already slim hopes.
Elanga's Consolation Can't Spark Comeback
Swedish substitute Anthony Elanga provided a moment of brilliance just after the hour mark, cutting in from the right flank and weaving past three City defenders before curling a stunning low shot past Trafford. The goal gave Newcastle fans something to cheer, but it proved nothing more than a consolation.
Elanga had two glorious opportunities to reduce the deficit further—one particularly inexplicable miss from directly in front of goal—while Erling Haaland, introduced as a substitute, brushed the post at the other end. City comfortably managed the closing stages, with Pep Guardiola rotating his squad ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League trip to Liverpool.
Wembley Showdown Awaits
City's victory sets up a mouthwatering Carabao Cup final clash against Arsenal—a repeat of the 2018 final—pitting Guardiola against his former assistant Mikel Arteta. This marks City's fifth League Cup final appearance under the Spanish tactician, following their remarkable run of four consecutive titles between 2018 and 2021. With eight League Cup trophies in total, City are chasing their ninth, while Arsenal haven't lifted the trophy in 33 years.
Key Match Statistics
- Final Score: Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United (5-1 aggregate)
- Marmoush Goals: 7th and 28th minutes
- Reijnders Goal: 43rd minute
- Elanga Consolation: 62nd minute
- City's Carabao Cup Finals Under Guardiola: 5th appearance
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final aggregate score?
Manchester City won 5-1 on aggregate over two legs, with a 2-0 first-leg victory at St. James' Park followed by a 3-1 second-leg win at the Etihad Stadium.
Who scored for Manchester City?
Omar Marmoush netted twice in the first half (7th and 28th minutes), while Tijjani Reijnders added the third goal just before halftime (43rd minute).
When is the Carabao Cup final?
The Carabao Cup final will take place on March 22, 2026, at Wembley Stadium, with Manchester City facing Arsenal.
Did Erling Haaland play?
Erling Haaland started on the bench and was introduced as a second-half substitute, with Pep Guardiola likely resting him ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League match against Liverpool.
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