Manchester City have booked their place in the Carabao Cup final with a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over the holders, Newcastle United. They will face Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on March 22nd.
The tie was effectively decided in the first at the Etihad Stadium.
Forward Omar Marmoush was the star, scoring two early goals to put City in firm control. Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders added a third before halftime, leaving Newcastle with a mountain to climb.
Newcastle improved after the break in the second leg and managed a consolation goal through Anthony Elanga, but the outcome was never in doubt. Arsenal secured their final spot by eliminating Chelsea 4-2 on aggregate in the other semi-final.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised the impact of Omar Marmoush. “His movements are really, really top. He has this incredible sense of goal,” Guardiola said. “The first goal is a bit lucky, but it’s not lucky when you play with this passion. Really pleased for him.”
Despite the comprehensive win, Guardiola expressed frustration over a selection issue for the final. New signing Marc Guehi, who joined from Crystal Palace after the first leg of the semi-final, is ruled ineligible for the final due to Carabao Cup regulations.
Rule 6.4.2 states a player signed after the first leg of the semi-finals cannot play in the remainder of the competition. Guardiola revealed the club plans to appeal the decision to the EFL.
Guardiola said: “Hopefully in March, we can arrive with the players fit and hopefully you can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc Guehi can play in the final because it’s difficult to understand that the club who make a big investment to pay one player who belongs to us and I don’t understand why he cannot play the final.
The manager also made a light-hearted comment about the final’s location. “We’re going to travel to London, they will wait for us there; all the time we have to travel. Never [does the opposition] travel to the North of England for a Final,” he joked.
Manchester City will now prepare to face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal next month as they aim to win the first domestic trophy of the season.