Newcastle's home test: Manchester City's new signing scores in consecutive matches as they lead 2-0 in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

At 4 AM Beijing time on January 14, the first leg of the League Cup semi-final began, with Newcastle playing at home against Manchester City.

In the first half, Vysah missed a clear chance, Murphy was forced off due to injury, and the half ended 0-0; in the second half, Guimaraes hit the post, Trafford made a crucial save, City's new signing Semenyo scored again, assisted by Bernardo Silva, but Semenyo’s second goal was disallowed for offside. In stoppage time, Shelkey scored on a rebound.

In the end, Manchester City secured a 2-0 away victory over Newcastle, gaining an advantage towards reaching the League Cup final.

Newcastle lined up in a 4-3-3 formation under Eddie Howe, with Vysah leading the attack, flanked by Murphy and Gordon, Ramsey, Guimaraes, and Joelinton forming the midfield trio, a back four of Melly, Jaf, Botman, and Hall, and Pope in goal; the starting lineup’s market value totaled €384 million.Guardiola deployed a 4-1-4-1 system, with Haaland upfront, Doku, Bernardo Silva, Foden, and Semenyo across midfield, O’Reilly playing as a lone defensive midfielder, a back four of Aké, Akein, Husanov, and Nunes, and Trafford guarding the goal; the starting lineup’s market value was €594 million..

Newcastle’s home ground is tough to play at; the Magpies are a classic home powerhouse in the Premier League, playing very physically, sometimes borderline rough. Therefore, Manchester City's 2-0 away win was hard-earned, especially with Semenyo’s second goal strangely disallowed, making the victory even more challenging. Haaland has been underperforming for five straight matches, scoring only one penalty in that span, but new signing Semenyo stepped up immediately, proving to be an instant asset alongside Doku on the wings. Defensively, City’s squad was depleted by injuries, but young Husanov filled in heroically, earning the highest rating of 8.1 after the match. Shelkey brought fresh creativity and sealed the win with a stoppage-time goal, earning the second-highest rating of 7.7. O’Reilly’s role as a makeshift defensive midfielder showed Guardiola’s tactical flexibility, though he still needs to refine his performance in that position. Congratulations to Manchester City on their 2-0 away victory at Newcastle, putting them halfway through to the League Cup final.

The match statistics show it was a closely contested game; Manchester City held 57% possession with 11 shots, 4 on target, while Newcastle had 10 shots, 3 on target. Overall, Newcastle’s home ground remains difficult to conquer, making City’s 2-0 win a perfect result.