’s declare to greatness stems from rather more than simply the Carabao Cup however a person who has gained 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 facet for the primary two of his 4 triumphs on this competitors, which might take him away from Brian Clough, Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Ten years, 5 occasions in Carabao Cup ultimate, it’s actually good,” mentioned Guardiola. “It is a pleasure to play towards Arsenal, one of the best workforce proper now in Europe and possibly the world.” Newcastle actually couldn’t halt him. Their defence of their first main trophy since 1969 ended with a whimper. Their probabilities of a comeback have been all however ended inside seven minutes, gone fully after 32 minutes and snuffed out partly by the goalkeeper they ceaselessly attempt to purchase. “I’m actually irritated with the first-half show,” mentioned Eddie Howe. His facet have been dispatched from the competitors by a much-weakened Manchester Metropolis facet.
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Whilst Guardiola gave Erling Haaland 70 minutes of relaxation, he had the perfect different. Some 42 % of Omar Marmoush’s Metropolis targets have been towards Newcastle, even when his double got here in distinctly lucky vogue. 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, It was one other indication of how occasions 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 unbelievable 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 job 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 outstanding from the off. “The primary purpose was very fortunate,” admitted Marmoush. As Dan Burn tackled him, the ball ricocheted in off the Egyptian. There could have been one thing symbolic in that: Burn scored the towering header in final season’s ultimate and now, in his defensive duties, he inadvertently contributed to Metropolis main.
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 offers us his particular qualities,” he mentioned. “His actions are actually high.”
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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 strain, however from particular person errors and errors. Following on from Liverpool, it’s a worrying development.”
In the meantime, Newcastle have been pissed off by a person invariably on their wishlist. Howe targets James Trafford each summer season. The goalkeeper demonstrated why. Nice saves from Joe Willock, Gordon and Kieran Trippier, all at 1-0, denied United an equaliser on the night time. He later stopped Sven Botman from scoring in what was most likely the best show of his Metropolis profession. “James was unbelievable,” mentioned Guardiola. “He’s going to play within the first Carabao Cup ultimate for him.”
Marmoush headed in Metropolis’s second purpose as Newcastle’s plans fell aside early on (REUTERS)
Tijjani Reijnders made issues worse for Newcastle by slotting within the third purpose of the night time (Getty Photos)
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.
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When Howe made a triple attacking change, the alternatives Newcastle original 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 title was chorused by the travelling Tynesiders and he should have had a second. Harvey Barnes additionally seemed a risk.
Anthony Gordon added to Newcastle’s woes with a hamstring harm two minutes earlier than half-time (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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 cross, the Norwegian had a shot tipped on to the publish by Aaron Ramsdale. It spared Newcastle additional punishment however this was a well-recognized final result. They’ve misplaced their final 12 video games on the Etihad Stadium, conceding 40 targets.
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A number of the Metropolis devoted 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’ll go there, to face Arsenal and Arteta.