Man City Ease Past Newcastle to Book EFL Cup Final Clash With Arsenal

Manchester City booked their place in the EFL Cup final with a commanding victory over Newcastle, cruising through the tie to set up a Wembley showdown with Arsenal.

Omar Marmoush struck twice early on to put City firmly in control before Tijjani Reijnders added a third goal before half-time, effectively ending the contest. Newcastle showed more fight after the break and pulled one back through Anthony Elanga, but the damage had already been done.

Trailing from a two-goal defeat in the first leg, Newcastle were hoping for a fast start, but those plans unravelled when Dan Burn’s attempted clearance deflected off Marmoush and looped over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for the opener. City soon tightened their grip despite James Trafford being forced off his line to deny Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon.

Marmoush made Newcastle pay moments later, nodding home his second of the night from Antoine Semenyo’s cross after a powerful run from deep by Reijnders. The Dutch midfielder, who repeatedly found space behind the Newcastle midfield as City dominated the centre of the pitch, then capped his performance by scoring the third himself, finishing clinically after being set up by Semenyo.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe suffered a further setback when Anthony Gordon was forced off injured late in the first half. Three substitutions at the interval slightly changed the tempo of the game, but City’s advantage remained comfortable. YoaneWissa missed a clear opening before substitute Anthony Elanga found the bottom corner to reduce the deficit.

Despite the late rally, Newcastle were unable to salvage the tie and surrendered the trophy they won last season, which ended their 70-year wait for major domestic silverware.

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will now face Premier League leaders Arsenal in the EFL Cup final on March 22 at Wembley.

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