Omar Marmoush scores for Man CityGetty Images

Five of Omar Marmoush's 12 goals for Manchester City have come against Newcastle at Etihad Stadium

At a glance

  • Manchester City thrash holders Newcastle to set up Carabao Cup final against Arsenal

  • Omar Marmoush double and Tijjani Reijnders seal victory for Pep Guardiola's side

  • Anthony Gordon hobbles off injured for Newcastle

  • PLAYER RATER

Shamoon Hafez
Football reporter at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City booked a tantalising Carabao Cup final against Premier League leaders Arsenal by hammering holders Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in a one-sided semi-final.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the second leg, Eddie Howe's side needed something special in Wednesday's return game at Etihad Stadium but endured the worst possible start as Omar Marmoush's sixth minute goal set City on their way to a 10th final in the competition.

Marmoush, starting in place of Erling Haaland, nipped in and saw a deflected strike loop over Aaron Ramsdale and into the back of the net, while the Newcastle goalkeeper denied Tijjani Reijnders with a stunning save shortly after.

The visitors had chances to hit back but James Trafford did brilliantly to smother the ball at the feet of both Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon - and those near misses proved severe as they were punished by City thereafter.

Marmoush headed in from close range on the half hour mark and Reijnders slotted in a loose ball before half-time to make certain of the tie and allow the home supporters to enjoy a stress-free second period.

Anthony Elanga pulled a goal back for Newcastle on 62 minutes with a fine curling effort and Harvey Barnes had another disallowed.

But the damage had long been done as Pep Guardiola's side confirmed their place in the League Cup final on Sunday, 22 March at Wembley Stadium.

Man City analysis: Another trip to Wembley for Guardiola

In a week where uncertainty was cast on Guardiola's long-term future at City, the Spaniard saw his side take apart Newcastle to ensure another crack at glory.

"Wembley again, ole ole," was the chant from the home faithful at full-time as they prepare to visit the national stadium for the 22nd time since Guardiola's appointment as boss in 2016.

City's last trip to the capital for a final ended in a shock FA Cup defeat by Crystal Palace in May, but Guardiola will have the opportunity to make amends by adding a 19th trophy to his illustrious career.

His first piece of silverware came in this competition in 2017, with Mikel Arteta by his side, but Guardiola's compatriot will now be aiming to plot his downfall and put an end to Arsenal's tag of 'nearly men'.

Next month's final not only pits master against his apprentice, but also the top two sides in English football - the Gunners looking to deal a psychological blow as they hold a six-point lead at the summit of the Premier League.

Newcastle had a monumental task on their hands after Rayan Cherki's late goal at St James' Park put City 2-0 ahead, and Marmoush's first-half double in the second leg killed any hope Eddie Howe and his supporters may have had.

The Egyptian could have had a hat-trick and though he was denied by Ramsdale, the result maintained City's imperious record against Newcastle, now winning 18 of their past 19 home meetings dating back to 2014, including a remarkable 12 in a row.

Newcastle analysis: Etihad nightmare continues

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

History was always against the holders.

No side have ever reached a Carabao Cup final after losing the first leg at home by two or more goals.

Newcastle have also only ever won once at the Etihad.

But this game got away from Howe's team far too quickly.

As much as Newcastle found former target Trafford in fine form, the visitors were easily undone time and time again in the first half as they naively left gaps in an attempt to, somehow, get back into the tie.

Newcastle's midfield was repeatedly bypassed while a leggy back five struggled to handle Marmoush.

At one stage, a disconsolate Dan Burn - the hero of the club's Wembley triumph less than a year ago - sat on the turf with his hands covering his face after Reijnders scored Manchester City's third goal.

It summed up Newcastle's opening 45 minutes as gallows humour later spread across the away end and the travelling support chanted: "We're going to win 6-5!"

Having already lost Gordon to a hamstring injury, it was rather telling that Howe made three further changes at half-time in an effort to jolt his side.

Newcastle duly rallied after the break following a fine individual goal from Elanga, who also went on to miss a sitter, as the visitors ended a seven-and-a-half-year wait to score at the Etihad.

Wasteful Newcastle could have scored several more, but this heavy aggregate defeat was not the way the holders wanted to hand over the trophy they had waited so long to win.

What next for these two sides?

Manchester City head to champions Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 GMT), while Newcastle host Brentford on Saturday (17:30).

Player of the match

Omar Marmoush
7.33
7 Omar Marmoush
7.33
1 J. Trafford
6.80
4 T. Reijnders
6.56
42 A. Semenyo
6.37
21 R. Aït-Nouri
6.14
33 N. O'Reilly
6.09
45 A. Khusanov
5.98
10 R. Cherki
5.94
6 N. Aké
5.84
47 P. Foden
5.84
14 Nico González
5.80
27 Matheus Nunes
5.77
9 E. Haaland
5.40
16 Rodri
5.40
68 M. Alleyne
5.24
82 R. Lewis
4.97
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