The EFL Cup, also known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, reaches its semifinal stage this week, with Newcastle and Manchester City kicking off their tie on Tuesday at St. James’ Park, Wembley looming on the horizon.
Guardiola unhappy with EFL Cup format
Ahead of the match, both managers voiced frustrations with aspects of the competition. City boss Pep Guardiola is not a fan of the two-legged format. The City manager said he would prefer the semifinals to be decided in a single match, like the earlier rounds, to avoid having to play a second leg, even though it would take place at the Etihad Stadium.
Why Antoine Semenyo is allowed to play for Man City
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe focused on the prospect of Antoine Semenyo taking the field for City. The winger, newly arrived at the Etihad, already appeared in an earlier stage of the Carabao Cup this season when Bournemouth lost to Brentford in August.
Under the old rules, that would have prevented him from playing for any other team in the tournament. However, the English Football League recently introduced a new regulation allowing players to represent two clubs in the Carabao Cup in the same season, as long as it is not in the same round.
Injuries shape semifinal lineups
Newcastle are looking to repeat last season’s success, when they lifted their first domestic trophy in 70 years. To do so, they must overcome City while managing a slew of injuries. Howe will need to rethink his starting XI for the first leg. Burn, Krafth, Schär, Lascelles, and Osula are all out, while Elanga remains a doubt.
City’s attack has been strengthened with Semenyo’s arrival, but Guardiola’s defensive woes continue. Stones, Gvardiol, and Dias are sidelined, leaving 20-year-old Alleyne likely to start his third consecutive match after making his debut against Brighton and scoring in the 10-1 rout of Exeter City on Saturday.
EFL Cup semifinal schedule
Tuesday, January 13
Newcastle United vs Manchester City, 3pm ET
Wednesday, January 14
Chelsea vs Arsenal, 3pm ET
Tuesday, February 3
Arsenal vs Chelsea, 3pm ET
Wednesday, February 4
Manchester City vs Newcastle, 3pm ET
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veecmpsuz
0
he dunked you guys out, you should be mad 😂😜😎
Dooabclnsu
0
you guys cut the crap rules is rules ifxgexis eligible then u can't be furious the guy that good till u afraid of him
Kaudiknstu
0
Howe angry that a Manchester City player will play forManchester City in thematch😂😂
biebcdmrs
1
is he a Arsenal player??why would he not play for Man City,is he not a Man City player...some rules trully needs to be changed...so here we go again he scored what a pain to the haters and Man City enemies,keep bucking puppy...
damik
1
? In the same round, how is that a rule .
akintayoibraheem
0
jack will better than him sure
Neadenpstu
0
yet again city get corrupt english football protection
yohbklopy
2
Semenyo not a long play on EFL cup
he is
sesacdipuy
1
Semenyo not a long play on EFL cup
Gunnerneko
1
Imagine Arteta speak about the two legged semifinal..The amount of backlash and probably fine
Zobbdioptu
0
Man City mean cheating
What cheating are you talking of, you Man Utd fan? You hate beaters
yzi
2
so what about if he doesn't score or assist
Belatsch
3
Man City mean cheating