Guardiola once again stands on the brink of greatness and only Arteta can stop him

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Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Pep Guardiola’s declare to greatness stems from far more than simply the Carabao Cup however a person who has received a lot else is now one victory away from being out on his personal as probably the most profitable supervisor in its historical past. Solely the ally turned enemy, Mikel Arteta, who was by his aspect for the primary two of his 4 Wembley triumphs on this competitors, can deny him a fifth, which might take him away from Brian Clough, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Ten years, 5 instances in Carabao Cup closing, it's actually good,” mentioned Guardiola. “It is a pleasure to play towards Arsenal, the most effective workforce proper now in Europe and perhaps the world." Newcastle actually couldn't halt him. Their defence of their first main trophy since 1969 ended with a whimper. Their possibilities of a comeback have been all however ended inside seven minutes, gone fully after 32 minutes and snuffed out partially by the goalkeeper they without end attempt to purchase. “I'm actually irritated with the first-half show,” mentioned Eddie Howe. His aspect have been dispatched from the competitors by a much-weakened Manchester Metropolis aspect.

Whilst Guardiola gave Erling Haaland 70 minutes of relaxation, he had the best different. Some 42 per cent of Omar Marmoush’s Metropolis targets have been towards Newcastle, even when his double got here in distinctly lucky style. Newcastle had no such luck, no efficiency when it mattered. Wembley glory final yr got here courtesy of Alexander Isak however the Swede is gone and so, now, is their trophy. Anthony Gordon, their excellent particular person over 180 minutes within the 2025 semi-final towards Arsenal, went off, hamstrung. It was one other indication of how instances have modified.

The unhappy actuality for Newcastle is that Metropolis progressed whereas prioritising Sunday’s journey to Liverpool. Rodri, Rayan Cherki, the fit-again Ruben Dias and Gianluigi Donnarumma joined Haaland on the bench, although Guardiola ended up summoning three of them for the final 20 minutes. Bernardo Silva was absent altogether and is, Guardiola mentioned, “an unimaginable doubt” to face Liverpool. Marc Guehi was additionally lacking, with Guardiola irritated he stays ineligible. “I don’t perceive how can’t play the ultimate, we purchased a participant for some huge cash,” mentioned the Metropolis supervisor. He plans to ask for Guehi to have the ability to play at Wembley, although that will require a rule change.

Not that he wanted his £20m purchase in both leg of the semi-final. A lot of the laborious work was achieved on Tyneside. Within the rematch, Metropolis’s process was to keep away from a repeat of Sunday. Metropolis had squandered a 2-0 lead over Tottenham. They entered this recreation with the identical benefit, and produced a really completely different final result.

They have been quickly forward. Minus Haaland, Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo have been the spearheads of a 4-2-2-2 formation. Every was distinguished from the off. "The primary purpose was very fortunate,” admitted Marmoush. As Dan Burn tackled him, the ball ricocheted in off the Egyptian. There might have been one thing symbolic in that: Burn scored the towering header in final season’s closing and now, in his defensive duties, he inadvertently contributed to Metropolis main.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/52/Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-w7907t8y.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/52/Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-w7907t8y.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/52/Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-w7907t8y.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Omar Marmoush settled the tie early in the first half after Man City brought in a 2-0 lead from the first leg" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Omar Marmoush settled the tie early within the first half after Man Metropolis introduced in a 2-0 lead from the primary leg (Motion Photos through Reuters) Marmoush’s second got here courtesy of Kieran Trippier, in making an attempt to clear Semenyo’s low cross, solely succeeded in spooning the ball up within the air. Marmoush headed it over the road from a yard. Guardiola was delighted with him. “He provides us his particular qualities,” he mentioned. “His actions are actually high.”

Semenyo, scorer of the primary within the first leg, performed an element in two targets within the second. When Burn tackled him, the ball fell for Tijjani Reijnders to complete. “The targets have been unusual,” mentioned Howe. “They weren't essentially coming from stress, however from particular person errors and errors. Following on from Liverpool, it's a worrying development.”

In the meantime, Newcastle have been annoyed by a person invariably on their wishlist. Howe targets James Trafford each summer season. The goalkeeper demonstrated why. Advantageous saves from Joe Willock, Gordon and Kieran Trippier, all at 1-0, denied United an equaliser on the evening. He later stopped Sven Botman from scoring in what was in all probability the best show of his Metropolis profession. “James was unbelievable,” mentioned Guardiola. “He's going to play within the first Carabao Cup closing for him.”

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/45/Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-zlbh8dj9.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/45/Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-zlbh8dj9.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/45/Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-zlbh8dj9.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Marmoush headed in City's second goal as Newcastle's plans fell apart early on" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Marmoush headed in Metropolis's second purpose as Newcastle's plans fell aside early on (Reuters) <img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/31/Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-ea3s5lfm.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/31/Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-ea3s5lfm.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/31/Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-ea3s5lfm.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Tijjani Reijnders made matters worse for Newcastle by slotting in the third goal of the night" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Tijjani Reijnders made issues worse for Newcastle by slotting within the third purpose of the evening (Getty) If Guardiola’s choice selections labored, Howe’s didn't. He had used a again three to appreciable success in final season’s semi-final towards Arsenal. Repeating that technique backfired. Regardless of Newcastle’s many defenders, they have been caught on the break for Metropolis’s second and third targets.

When Howe made a triple attacking change, the alternatives Newcastle common ought to depart them with regrets they weren't extra constructive from the off. Yoane Wissa missed a terrific probability together with his first contact.

However, some 32 video games into his Newcastle profession, Anthony Elanga lastly scored his first purpose, after a terrific solo run. The previous Manchester United winger’s identify was chorused by the travelling Tynesiders and he must have had a second. Harvey Barnes additionally regarded a risk.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/46/Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Etihad-Stadium-lt7xcqh4.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/46/Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Etihad-Stadium-lt7xcqh4.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/04/21/46/Manchester-City-v-Newcastle-United-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-Second-Leg-Etihad-Stadium-lt7xcqh4.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Anthony Gordon added to Newcastle’s woes with a hamstring injury two minutes before half-time" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Anthony Gordon added to Newcastle’s woes with a hamstring damage two minutes earlier than half-time (PA) When Newcastle threatened to chop Metropolis aside, Guardiola was involved. “We've got to repair it,” he mentioned. His reply was to ship for Rodri, Cherki and Haaland and, from the Frenchman’s go, the Norwegian had a shot tipped on to the publish by Aaron Ramsdale. It spared Newcastle additional punishment however this was a well-known final result. They've misplaced their final 12 video games on the Etihad Stadium, conceding 40 targets.

A few of the Metropolis trustworthy nonetheless stayed away. The empty seats have been referenced in taunts by the Newcastle followers. Maybe their Metropolis counterparts have been saving their cash for Wembley. They are going to go there, to face Arsenal and Arteta.