Manchester City and Newcastle United have officially secured their places in the semifinals of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup, following convincing quarterfinal victories on Thursday morning WIB. Both clubs delivered composed performances to keep their domestic cup ambitions alive, joining Chelsea in the final four of English football’s premier knockout competition.
City and Newcastle each faced different challenges, but both demonstrated resilience and quality under pressure—qualities required at this advanced stage of the tournament.
Manchester City Cruise Past Brentford at the Etihad
Manchester City continued their impressive cup run with a 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola’s side controlled proceedings from start to finish, combining patience in possession with clinical finishing to book their semifinal ticket.
The breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute when Rayan Cherki opened the scoring. The young midfielder found space just outside the box before unleashing a precise effort that beat the Brentford goalkeeper, giving City a deserved lead.
Brentford attempted to respond after the break, but City’s defensive organization limited their chances. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 67th minute through Savinho, who capitalized on sustained pressure with a calm finish to seal the win.
City’s victory underlined their status as one of the favorites to lift the trophy, as Guardiola rotated his squad while maintaining tactical discipline and attacking fluency.
Cherki and Savinho Shine in Key Roles
Rayan Cherki’s influence throughout the match was notable, as the French playmaker dictated tempo and linked midfield with attack. His goal capped a confident performance that highlighted his growing importance within City’s squad.
Savinho, meanwhile, continued to justify his selection with another decisive contribution. The winger’s pace and movement consistently stretched Brentford’s defense, and his goal ensured City avoided any late drama.
With several first-team regulars rested, City’s depth once again proved decisive—an advantage that could be crucial as the competition intensifies.
Newcastle United Edge Fulham in Dramatic Finish
At St James’ Park, Newcastle United delivered one of the night’s most thrilling moments, defeating Fulham 2-1 thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
The Magpies wasted no time asserting themselves, opening the scoring in the 10th minute through Yoane Wissa. The forward reacted quickly inside the box to give Newcastle an early lead, sending the home crowd into celebration.
However, Fulham responded almost immediately. Just six minutes later, Sasa Lukic struck back with a well-taken finish to level the score at 1-1, setting the stage for a tightly contested battle.
Lewis Miley Delivers Late Heroics
As the match progressed, both sides created chances but struggled to find the decisive breakthrough. With extra time looming, Newcastle pushed forward in search of a winner—and their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time.
In the 90+2nd minute, Lewis Miley latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Sandro Tonali and calmly finished to restore Newcastle’s lead. The late goal sparked wild celebrations, as the Magpies secured their place in the semifinals in dramatic fashion.
Miley’s strike highlighted Newcastle’s blend of youth and experience, with Tonali’s vision complementing the youngster’s composure under pressure.
Three Semifinalists Confirmed as Chelsea Await Company
With Manchester City and Newcastle United advancing, three of the four semifinal spots are now filled. Chelsea had already booked their place earlier in the week with a convincing 3-1 victory away to Cardiff City on Wednesday, December 17.
The Blues’ win ensured their early progression, and they will now await the final quarterfinal result to determine their opponent in the last four.
Final Semifinal Spot Still Up for Grabs
Only one semifinal place remains available in the 2025/26 Carabao Cup. That spot will be decided when Arsenal face Crystal Palace in their delayed quarterfinal clash, scheduled for Wednesday, December 24, early morning WIB.
Both teams will be eager to join City, Newcastle, and Chelsea in the semifinals, setting up a highly competitive final four. Arsenal, in particular, will see the Carabao Cup as a realistic opportunity for silverware this season, while Crystal Palace are aiming to make history with a deep cup run.
Carabao Cup Results: Thursday Morning WIB
Here are the confirmed results from the latest Carabao Cup quarterfinal matches:
-
Manchester City 2–0 Brentford
(Rayan Cherki 32’, Savinho 67’) -
Newcastle United 2–1 Fulham
(Yoane Wissa 10’, Lewis Miley 90+2’ | Sasa Lukic 16’)
Road to Wembley Takes Shape
As the Carabao Cup moves closer to its conclusion, anticipation continues to build. With heavyweights like Manchester City and Chelsea joined by an ambitious Newcastle United side, the semifinals promise high drama and elite competition.
The final lineup will be completed soon, but one thing is already clear—the race to Wembley is heating up, and every remaining team has a genuine belief they can go all the way.
ALSO READ :
