Manchester City dashed Newcastle United’s aspirations of holding onto the Carabao Cup with a commanding 2-0 triumph at St James’ Park in the opening leg of their semi-final encounter.

The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute courtesy of Antoine Semenyo, who netted a goal for Pep Guardiola’s squad. Although Semenyo later seemed to have added another goal to City’s tally, it was disallowed after a contentious VAR review.

Semenyo’s introduction to life at Manchester City has been nothing short of spectacular, as he has found the back of the net in each of his first two appearances since his move from Bournemouth.

Dominic King from the Daily Mail Sport was present in Tyneside to provide an assessment of the performances from both teams.

New signing Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring in the 53rd minute for Pep Guardiola’s side

Joelinton seemed intent on bickering with Nico O’Reilly after one flash point in the first half

NEWCASTLE

Nick Pope – 6

Didn’t feel like he had a lot to do through the evening but couldn’t keep a clean sheet and how costly will that be?

Lewis Miley – 6.5

Recovered after a shaky start, no easy task having a peak form Jeremy Doku running at you at full speed all night.

Sven Botman – 7.5

Not many central defenders will say they got the better of Erling Haaland but still ended up on the losing side but that was his lot.

Malick Thiaw – 6.5

Happy when the game was played in front of him but City’s ability to get into tight pockets challenged him.

Jacob Ramsey – 6

Felt the wrath of Howe in the first half for not giving everything in the pursuit of ball recovery; off injured when City scored.

Bruno Guimares – 5.5

Other than a shot that thudded against the post, it wasn’t a night when Newcastle’s captain was seen to his best effect.

It wasn’t a night when Newcastle’s captain, Bruno Guimaraes, was seen to his best effect

Joelinton – 5

Seemed intent on trying to bicker with Nico O’Reilly after one flash point in the first half and the contest ended up passing him.

Jacob Murphy – 5.5

So often a creative hub but a hamstring injury late in the first period robbed his team of an outlet; had struggled to get beyond Ake.

Yoane Wissa – 5

Way off the pace and wasted the one chance that came his way in the first half; berated by his manager for failing to press.

Anthony Gordon – 5

Has barely found form this season; needed to change his boots after 20 minutes and needed to be switched on when City scored.

MANAGER: Eddie Howe – 6

You could see from an early stage that he wasn’t happy with the rhythm or the intensity of his team; changes he made failed to work.

MANCHESTER CITY

James Trafford – 7

Big night and a fair amount of pressure for the young man but a couple of important saves; grew into things after a shaky start.

James Trafford grew into the game after a shaky start, and made a couple of important saves

Matheus Nunes – 6

Solid hour from the right-back, who was a willing outlet at all times. Picked up a booking for crashing into Gordon.

Max Alleyne – 7

Only the third time he has played for City but the fact Guardiola played him in such a contest tells you he’ll be playing many, many more.

Abdukodir Khusanov – 6.5

Growing into what is expected of him after a challenging first 12 months; he enjoyed the battle and took care of Wissa.

Nathan Ake – 7 

A dependable man, who slots in and does all that is asked of him and more. Took his chance to show why he is so highly regarded.

Bernardo Silva – 8

There’s an argument to say he’s in the top five signings City have made in this chapter of their history; typical captain’s performance.

Nico O’Reilly – 7.5

A big hug from his manager after he was substituted in recognition of a performance in which he refused to be bullied by Joelinton.

Phil Foden – 8

If you think he doesn’t start for England this summer, you haven’t been watching: he could hypnotise you with his skill.

If you think Phil Foden doesn’t start for England this summer, you haven’t been watching

Antonine Semenyo – 8

Grew into the game and quickly made himself a City hero with the opening goal; there should have been another.

Erling Haaland – 6

What a frustrating night it was for the Norwegian, who barely got a touch in Newcastle’s area; ironic he was culpable for contentious offside decision.

Jeremy Doku – 8.5

Terrific from first to last, full of energy and speed. His trickery caused Newcastle’s defenders problems and always looked like supplying an end product.

MANAGER: Pep Guardiola – 8

One of those nights when he looked like a conductor at the Royal Albert Hall and everything that followed was symphonic as City moved the ball seamlessly.