Man City beat Newcastle to take control of Carabao Cup semi-final, Howe still fighting

City struck the decisive blows through Antoine Semenyo and substitute Rayan Cherki, rewarding a clinical display that contrasted with Newcastle's profligacy during a dominant opening spell for the hosts.

Eddie Howe's side hit the woodwork twice while the match was still goalless, with Yoane Wissa seeing a looping header tipped onto the crossbar by City goalkeeper James Trafford before Bruno Guimaraes rattled the bar moments later. Wissa also missed an early close-range opportunity, scooping over when well placed.

Semenyo, who completed a 65-million-pound move from Bournemouth less than a week before the match, opened the scoring with a predatory finish at the back post.

The goal stemmed from a Jeremy Doku cross, flicked on by Bernardo Silva, and underlined the immediate impact of City's latest signing.

Semenyo later had another effort disallowed, having already scored and assisted on his debut in a club record-equalling 10-1 win over Exeter City.

His involvement had been a point of frustration for Howe, as Semenyo's eligibility followed a recent rule change despite earlier appearances for Bournemouth in the competition.

Newcastle pushed for an equaliser but were punished late on when Cherki came off the bench and fired powerfully into the net deep into stoppage time, handing City a commanding aggregate advantage.

"We're still alive," said Howe. "We're still in there fighting. It's very difficult to turn it around but it's still possible and football can conjure up some magical moments.

"Last year we were on the other side of this scoreline. We went to Arsenal, won 2-0 in that game and we felt it was still very much alive.

"It was all about the next goal in the tie. I think that's going to be the case in this one. If we can get the next goal, we are still very much in it."

Eight-time winners of the competition, Manchester City will now host the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on 4 February, with one foot firmly in the final. 

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