Manchester City powered into the Carabao Cup final after securing a comfortable 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle United, scoring three goals in the first half.
In the second leg of their semi-final at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, Omar Marmoush found the back of the net twice within the opening half-hour, with Tijjani Reijnders adding another goal.
Although Anthony Elanga managed to score for Newcastle, City relaxed in the second half, but their 3-1 win on the night was more than sufficient.
With this victory, City booked a spot at Wembley against Premier League leaders Arsenal, while ending Newcastle’s title defense decisively.
To complicate matters for Magpies manager Eddie Howe, forward Anthony Gordon had to leave the field due to injury before halftime.
It was a rewarding night for Marmoush, who started in place of Erling Haaland, who was kept on the bench as Guardiola likely looked forward to Sunday’s match against Liverpool.
Newcastle needed an extraordinary effort to overturn the tie, but with just seven minutes gone, Marmoush ensured that wouldn’t happen, albeit with a bit of luck on his side. After being dispossessed by Dan Burn, the ball deflected off Marmoush’s shin and trickled over Aaron Ramsdale into the net.
City’s defense showed some weaknesses, and Newcastle had a golden opportunity to equalize when Gordon set up Joe Willock, but he hesitated, allowing James Trafford to collect the ball. Gordon then fired another attempt directly at Trafford.
Meanwhile, City continually pressured with Reijnders and Antoine Semenyo posing threats before Marmoush added his second of the night. Dumpling a deflected cross from Kieran Trippier into the net with a close-range header.
Reijnders was pivotal in creating both of Marmoush’s goals, and shortly after, he found the net himself following a build-up initiated by Semenyo.
Newcastle’s woes were compounded when Gordon had to leave the pitch, yet Sven Botman managed to force a good save from Trafford with a header.
In the second half, substitute Yoane Wissa fired wide early on after Abdukodir Khusanov lost possession.
Newcastle sought a penalty after Wissa’s clash with Max Alleyne, but the referee waved play on. City missed an opportunity shortly after as Reijnders shot wide.
Elanga finally gave the Newcastle fans a reason to cheer just after the hour mark, weaving past three defenders to score with a curling shot.
He nearly netted another goal when Barnes set him up, but he misfired, narrowly avoiding further anguish for City as Newcastle pressed forward.
This may be a concern for Guardiola, but it didn’t change the outcome, and City had chances late in the game as Haaland tested Ramsdale twice.