Manchester City booked their place in the English League Cup final with a comfortable 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday, sealing a 5-1 aggregate victory in the semifinals, reports UNB.
The result sets up a blockbuster final against Arsenal, meaning the Premier League’s top two sides will face off at Wembley Stadium on March 22. The League Cup will be the first major trophy decided this season and could give the winner a psychological edge in the title race.
City forward Omar Marmoush starred at the Etihad Stadium, scoring twice in the first half to put the tie beyond Newcastle’s reach. Tijjani Reijnders added a third goal before the break, as City dominated after already leading 2-0 from the first leg.
Newcastle pulled one back in the second half through substitute Anthony Elanga, but it proved to be no more than a consolation.
“We’re here to win trophies, and we give our best every day to reach finals and lift silverware,” Marmoush said after the match.
Arsenal, who lead City by six points in the Premier League, reached the final on Tuesday by beating Chelsea 1-0 to complete a 4-2 aggregate win. Both clubs are also still competing in the Champions League and the FA Cup.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised their upcoming opponents, calling Arsenal “the best team right now in Europe, maybe the world,” and said facing them regularly helps City improve.
The final will add another chapter to a growing rivalry. City have edged Arsenal to the Premier League title in the last two seasons, while Mikel Arteta’s side are chasing their first league crown since 2004. A League Cup win would be Arteta’s first major trophy since lifting the FA Cup in 2020.
For Guardiola, the final offers a chance to win his 16th major trophy with City and a fifth League Cup, as the club aims for a ninth title in the competition, just one short of Liverpool’s record.
City’s goals came early, with Marmoush scoring in the seventh and 29th minutes before Reijnders struck three minutes later. Despite some second-half chances, Newcastle could not mount a comeback.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
