Manchester City followed Chelsea to the semi-finals of the "Carabao Cup", after winning 2-0 over Brentford in a quarter-final clash played at "Etihad Stadium", reported sportal.bg.
Without using a very large percentage of their opportunities, Guardiola's team broke the Londoners with a beautiful goal by Ryan Sherkey (32') and a lucky hit after a rebound by Savinho (67'). Thus, the "citizens" recorded their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions, while the "bees" are without a win in their last four games.
Guardiola made seven changes to his squad compared to the match against Crystal Palace at the weekend. Only Nico O'Reilly, Tijani Reinders, Nico Gonzalez and Ryan Sherkey kept their places. James Trafford started in goal, while 18-year-old Divine Mukasa started at the top of the attack. Among the substitutes were Domnaruma, Dias, Guardiola, Silva, Nunes, Foden and Haaland.
Brentford made six changes. Jordan Henderson and Igor Thiago were not in the group at all. Van den Berg, Collins, Kayode, Jensen and Yanelt kept their places. Kevin Schaede returned from suspension, and Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson took the place in goal. Dango Ouattara and Frank Onyeka are unavailable, as they already have commitments related to their participation in the African Cup of Nations.
Sherky and Bob took shots early on, but the first went wide and the second was saved. Brentford were also attacking.
The first very controversial situation came in the 16th minute. Shade was breaking away, but Khusanov fouled him just before the penalty area. The guests claimed, not without reason, that this was preventing a clear goal opportunity, but the central defender only got away with a yellow card. If there had been VAR in these matches, he would most likely have been sent off.
In the 18th minute, Oscar had to be forced off, as he suffered another injury. Foden came in his place.
Sherky took another shot, which was saved, but in the 32nd minute his persistence paid off. Schaede headed a cross from a corner kick by Mukasa, after which the ball reached Sherki on the edge of the penalty area. The Frenchman handled the ball very well, freed himself from Damsgaard, who was late, and shot beautifully into the top right corner.
Brentford had good moments both at the beginning and at the end of the half, but the visitors only had one accurate shot in the first 45 minutes. It was the work of Jensen after a well-executed foul after the situation with the violation by Khusanov. Trafford, however, reacted well and saved.
At the beginning of the second half - in the 54th minute, Trafford again made a good save after a shot by Ayre from 20 meters.
Valdimarsson saved a shot by Foden from a volley. In the 67th minute, Manchester City doubled their lead after a counterattack. Foden found Savinho on the left, who entered the penalty area and shot. The ball ricocheted off Ayre, who dived to block, but he beat the goalkeeper and went into the far corner for 2:0.
City dominated until the end, but did not manage to score another goal. Interestingly, Foden, who came on as a substitute for the injured Bob, was replaced in the 82nd minute by Gray.
Newcastle continue to defend the "Carabao Cup" trophy, after qualifying for the semi-finals of the tournament this season.
"The Magpies" defeated Fulham 2:1 at "St. James's Park" and became the third team to qualify for the final four, after Chelsea and Manchester City. Ioan Wisa scored his first goal for Newcastle in the 10th minute, but Sasha Lukic equalized in the 16th. The Magpies dominated but only secured victory in stoppage time when Lewis Miley brought joy to the home fans.
Eddie Howe had made six changes from the derby defeat to Sunderland. The big news was that Ioan Wisa started for the first time. The former Brentford striker replaced Nick Voltemade at the top of the attack. Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes helped him on the flanks. Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock and Fabien Scherr also started.
Fulham made four changes, three of which were forced, as Marco Silva was unable to use Bassi, Iwobi and Chukwueze, who had left for the Africa Cup of Nations. Cuenca, Lukic and Kevin replaced them. Benjamin Lecomte started in goal.
Wissa started brilliantly and in the tenth minute of his first match as a starter he scored from close range after Lecomte had previously not very well cleared Murphy's sharp cross from the right.
Just six minutes later, however, Fulham equalised, having headed in Robinson's cross.
Newcastle had the better chances until the break, but were never able to restore their lead. Wiissa, Guimaraes and Livramento all came close, but no further goals were scored.
The Magpies had more possession in the second half but were unable to create clear-cut chances. In the 65th minute, Andersen scored an own goal after intercepting Murphy's cross into his own net. However, he was saved by the fact that the Newcastle player had been offside before.
Howe brought on Voltemade and Tonali, and later Gordon and Elanga. Livramento was injured and replaced by Alex Murphy.
In added time, Voltemade held the ball in the penalty area and passed it to Lewis Miley, who shot very dangerously, but Lecomte intervened brilliantly and cleared it for a corner. After his cross, Miley headed in the winner and brought Newcastle victory, sending the team to the semi-finals.
Thus, the trophy holder Newcastle United will face eight-time winner Manchester City in the semi-finals of the "Carabao Cup".
This was determined by tonight's draw for this phase of the tournament.
In the other semi-final, we will have a London clash. Chelsea will meet the winner of the Arsenal - Crystal Palace pair. The "Blues", however, will have to wait until Tuesday, December 23, to find out which of the two London rivals will oppose them.
The quarter-final match of the "Gunners" against the "Eagles" was rescheduled to avoid a situation in which Oliver Glasner's Palace side would have to play three games in five days due to their participation in the Conference League on Thursday.
The first legs of the semi-finals will be held in the week commencing 12 January 2026, with the return legs scheduled for the week of 2 February.