Manchester City will play Arsenal in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup final after thumping Newcastle United 3-1 in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday, winning the tie 5-1.
Already leading 2-0 on aggregate following a handy away win at St. James’ Park in the first leg, Omar Marmoush and Tijjani Reijnders put City in firm control with first-half goals.
Marmoush netted the opener after just seven minutes when his shot fortunately deflected off Dan Burns and over Aaron Ramsdale, before he nodded home a close-range header at the back post to double City’s advantage on the half-hour mark.
Newcastle had their chances in the first half through Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon, but James Trafford made two excellent saves to keep The Magpies at bay.
City had a third when Reijnders coolly slotted beyond the former Gunners goalkeeper to stretch the hosts’ aggregate advantage to five before the break, as Newcastle’s last remaining hopes of defending their title fizzled away.
In the second half, Eddie Howe’s side missed more golden opportunities to close the gap on City when substitute Yoane Wissa shot wide, but then eventually got their goal when Anthony Elannga curled an effort beyond Trafford.
Elanga had the chance for his and Newcastle’s second, but fluffed his lines when Harvey Barnes put the ball on a plate for him in the middle of the box.
Erling Haaland came off the bench to force a couple of saves out of Ramsdale, but his services were not required on an easy night for City, as they booked their first League Cup final in four years after winning it every year from 2018-2021.
