Man City Blitz Newcastle, Secure Carabao Cup Final Spot: Is Haaland Still Key?

City's Clinical Demolition of the Magpies

The Carabao Cup semi-final clash saw Manchester City deliver a stunning performance against Newcastle, but the dominant 5-1 victory has ignited a fiery debate among fans: Is the team actually better without their prolific striker, Erling Haaland?

Key Points:

• Manchester City secured a commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
• Omar Marmoush netted a quickfire brace, with Tijjani Reijnders adding a third to seal the win.
• Erling Haaland was benched and failed to score after coming on, extending his goal drought to one in eight games.
• City now prepares for a high-stakes Carabao Cup final showdown against Arsenal at Wembley.

City's Clinical Demolition of the Magpies

Manchester City wasted no time asserting their dominance, even with Erling Haaland starting on the bench. Omar Marmoush was the undisputed star of the show, breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes with a clever finish. He then doubled his tally in the 29th minute, showcasing City's ruthless efficiency.

Not long after Marmoush's second, Tijjani Reijnders hammered home City's third goal, effectively putting the tie beyond Newcastle's reach before half-time. The comprehensive 5-1 win underscored City's depth and offensive prowess, securing their spot in the Carabao Cup final.

The Haaland Conundrum: Fans Question Superstar's Role

Despite the resounding victory, much of the post-match discussion centered on Erling Haaland. The prolific Norwegian, who came off the bench in the second half, couldn't find the net, extending his lean patch to just one goal in his last eight games across all competitions.

Social media platforms exploded with fan reactions, many suggesting City's play style becomes more fluid and dynamic without Haaland leading the line. One fan commented, "Our press is better without Haaland. Big issue." Another echoed the sentiment, stating, "See how better we play across the lines without that Norwegian donkey."

Further comments highlighted the perceived tactical flexibility gained in Haaland's absence: "We are more flexible with anyone not name Haaland playing strike… it’s football basics when you play without a Target 9. Plus these are games you can see Marmoush better, games with enough space to run behind."

Guardiola Stands Firm: Defending His Goal Machine

Pep Guardiola, however, was quick to leap to his star striker's defense. The City boss emphasized Haaland's crucial role throughout the season, stating, "God bless that we have Erling in our team right now and all of the season. We are fortunate to have him and without him, we would not be in the position we are in now."

Guardiola attributed Haaland's recent struggles to the grueling schedule and the physicality of opposing defenders. "There are a lot of games and it is an incredible period for games. Every three days there is a match, recovery is less with travel, tough conditions, central defenders [who are] tough. It is difficult but he'll be back," he asserted, showing unwavering faith in his striker.

Marmoush's Moment in the Spotlight

For Omar Marmoush, it was a night to remember. Speaking after his sensational brace, he expressed immense satisfaction. "We showed a very good mentality. We were together as a team, from the first minute we were very focused on the job," Marmoush told Sky Sports.

While acknowledging a touch of luck on his first goal, Marmoush admitted he was eager for a hat-trick but was ultimately thrilled with his performance, stating it gives the team confidence heading into the final.

Wembley Awaits: City's Quest for Silverware and League Dominance

Manchester City will now prepare for a highly anticipated Carabao Cup final showdown against fierce rivals Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, March 22, 2026. This fixture promises to be a thrilling battle for early season silverware.

Before that Wembley date, Guardiola's side faces a monumental task in the Premier League, aiming to close the six-point gap at the top. Their next crucial challenge comes this Sunday against title rivals Liverpool at Anfield, a fixture that could significantly impact the title race.