Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo was on target once again for new club Manchester City as they saw off Newcastle United 2-0 in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals at St. James’ Park on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old was completed a £65 million move from Bournemouth last Friday and was off the mark on his debut against Exeter City in the FA Cup third round the following day, assisting Rico Lewis for the fifth goal before scoring the sixth goal in the 10-1 win.
The first half of the EFL Cup semi-final was a cagey affair but finally came alive in the 53rd minute when he coolly converted off an assist from Bernardo Silva.
Semenyo thought he had doubled City’s lead 10 minutes later when he flicked the ball in from a Tijjani Reijnders corner kick but it was ruled out for offside after the referee consulted with the VAR pitch side monitor.
Pep Guardiola’s men were however not going to be denied that second goal as it finally came in added time returning Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri set up Rayan Cherki, also of Algerian heritage, to complete the scoring.
The second leg will take place at the Etihad Stadium on February 4, with the winner facing either Arsenal or Chelsea in the final.
