Antoine Semenyo began his Manchester Metropolis profession with two objectives in two video games, serving to his new staff take a 2-0 benefit in opposition to Newcastle United within the EFL Cup semi-final first leg.
The Ghanaian, who additionally scored on his debut in opposition to Exeter Metropolis within the FA Cup, had his second aim chalked away, however a late strike from Rayan Cherki gave the holders a mountain to climb.
There have been few probabilities within the first half, however Yoan Wissa most likely ought to have given Newcastle the lead within the fifth minute, however he fired when he was one-on-one with James Trafford.
Simply 5 minutes into the second half, Wissa examined Trafford once more, a looping header hitting the highest of the bar earlier than Bruno Guimarães hit a low shot in opposition to the left submit.
Simply three minutes later, Metropolis took the lead when Jeremy Doku’s deflected cross noticed Semenyo run by a crowded field and fireplace residence from shut vary.
Semenyo was denied a second aim 10 minutes later with a surprising backheel previous Nick Pope from a Tijani Lijnders nook, however Erling Haaland was dominated out after a VAR assessment after he was deemed to have interfered with Malik Thiau from an offside place.
With Newcastle searching for an equalizer, Sven Botman cleared his header over the road, Sandro Tonali despatched a shot large and Nick Woltemade missed a diving header.
As a substitute, Cherki scored the second aim with a effective one-two with the returning Rayan Ayet Nouri, overturning a two-goal deficit heading into the second leg on the Etihad Stadium on February 4.
Take the lead heading into the second leg
0-2 @okx pic.twitter.com/uWmmQ48dFF
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) January 13, 2026
Information Report: Semenyo takes no time to quiet down
Semenho introduced his transfer to Metropolis’s squad on the weekend and has as soon as once more performed a key function in Josep Guardiola’s aspect.
In truth, he grew to become the primary participant since Emmanuel Adebayor in August 2009 to attain in each of Metropolis’s first two video games in all competitions.
And for the reason that Membership World Cup, the one Premier League gamers to have scored extra objectives in all competitions this season than Semenho (12) are Haaland (26) and Igor Thiago (17).
Newcastle had 10 photographs on the right track in comparison with the opponent’s 11, whereas the Residents had 4 photographs on the right track in comparison with three on the right track, greater than equal to their opponents. The Magpies additionally hit the woodwork twice, piling up an anticipated objectives (xG) of simply 0.64, whereas Metropolis posted 2.01.
