Placing in a rampant second-leg efficiency on Wednesday evening, Manchester Metropolis stormed their approach to this season’s EFL Cup ultimate as they claimed a thumping 3-1 victory in opposition to Newcastle.
Returning to the Etihad in midweek holding an early benefit as they claimed an eye catching 2-0 victory at St. James’ Park on January thirteenth, Pep Guradiola’s males definitely made a serious assertion right here.
Watching Egyptian ace Omar Marmoush bag a pair of strikes within the opening half-hour, Tijani Reijnders added a 3rd earlier than the break and wrapped up a sensational efficiency for the eight-time EFL Cup champions.
Whereas ex-Manchester United teen Anthony Elanga might need notched an incredible solo comfort strike for the Magpies, it was nothing greater than a minor increase for a leggy Newcastle and their summer season recruit additionally squandered one other fantastic alternative simply moments after discovering the web.
Storming their approach to Wembley on March twenty second, the Sky Blues will meet bitter title rivals Arsenal in north London for what will definitely be a blockbuster battle subsequent month.
As for Newcastle, relinquishing their maiden EFL Cup trophy with an actual whimper on Wednesday, the Magpies rightfully reduce annoyed figures on the full-time whistle and they are going to be bracing themselves for a public backlash over the approaching days.
On an evening when Guardiola’s males swept apart the now-former EFL Cup champions, now we have taken a have a look at the primary speaking factors from the Etihad.
EFL Cup success must be a precedence for Metropolis
Struggling one more public slip-up over the weekend as they ultimately needed to accept a 2-2 stalemate away at a struggling Tottenham, Manchester Metropolis watched their Premier League title desires take a serious dent.
Now sat six factors adrift of runaway leaders Arsenal, Guardiola’s famous person squad have an almighty battle on their palms within the race to reclaim their home crown in 2026.
Signing off final season with out a single piece of silverware to point out for his or her troubles and compelled to accept a bronze medal end amongst England’s elite, Metropolis must be beginning to prioritise EFL Cup success.
Laying down an actual semi-final marker over the previous few weeks and cruising previous the reigning EFL Cup champions, success at Wembley on March twenty second may show to be the one home title that Metropolis get their palms on this season.
Understanding that stability is vital going ahead, Guardiola’s aspect will as soon as once more steal centre stage this weekend once they journey to Anfield for a heavyweight showdown in opposition to bitter foes and defending Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Newcastle’s evident home struggles on the street
Whereas Newcastle might need booked a Champions League play-off ticket final week, it has been recommended that Eddie Howe nonetheless finds some severe stress on his shoulders at St. James’ Park.
Utterly blown away within the first-half right here and watching the defence of their EFL Cup crown come to and finish with a whimper, the previous Bournemouth boss might be bracing himself for an actual backlash.
Failing to select up any type of momentum over the weekend as they slumped to a 4-1 drumming away at Liverpool, Newcastle have continued to point out some outstanding prolonged points away from Tyneside.
Regardless of signing off 2025 with a 3-1 victory in opposition to main relegation candidates Burnley, the Magpies have solely collected a pair of home wins away from St. James’ Park throughout all competitions over the previous 9 months.
Watching England worldwide Anthony Gordon limp off with a suspected first-half hamstring harm, Newcastle followers couldn’t have dreamt of a worst approach to spend a Wednesday evening in Manchester.
Marmoush may play a number one position over the approaching weeks
Lacking out on the prospect to say an AFCON medal whereas away with Egypt final month, there was additionally loads of hypothesis over Marmoush’s future on the Etihad.
Solely arriving within the blue half of Manchester 13 months in the past, the previous Eintracht Frankfurt has failed to carry down a daily first-team spot underneath Guardiola regardless of flashes of an actual potential.
Nevertheless, placing Newcastle to the sword on Wednesday evening and spearheading Metropolis’s cost, the 26-year-old definitely grabbed his alternative to deputise for Erlng Haaland.
Whereas the Norwegian record-breaker is perhaps cruising his approach to one more Premier League Golden Boot, Haaland has struggled to search out his harmful greatest on both aspect of opening the New Yr.
Watching their hanging famous person remarkably notch only a single Premier League strike since again on Decenmver twentieth, Marnoush’s efficiency on Wednesday may hand Guardiola a much-welcomed possibility.
Match Report
Manchester Metropolis: Trafford, Nunes, Khusanov, Are, Ait-Nouri, Reijnders, Gonzalez, O’Reilly, Foden, Marmoush, Semenyo
Subs: Haaland, Cherki, Lewis, Alleyne
Newcastle: Ramsdale, Burn, Batman, Thiaw, Trippier, Corridor, Tonali, Ramsey, Gordon, Willock, Woltemade
Subs: Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Murphy, Oslua
Targets: Manchester Metropolis: Marmoush (7’, 29’), Reijnders (32’) – Newcastle: Elanga (62′)
Yellow Playing cards: Gonzalez, Rodri, Nunes
Pink Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Tony Harrington
