SOCCER: Man City reach League Cup semis, late Newcastle goal downs Fulham

MANCHESTER — Manchester City cruised into the semi-finals of the League Cup after securing a 2–0 home victory over Brentford on Wednesday, setting up a last-four clash with defending champions Newcastle United.

Newcastle needed a dramatic added-time goal from Lewis Miley to edge Fulham 2–1 at St James’ Park and book their place in the semi-finals.

In the other semi-final, Chelsea, who defeated Cardiff City 3–1 on Tuesday, will face either Arsenal or Crystal Palace. Arsenal and Palace are set to contest the final quarter-final next Tuesday.

City manager Pep Guardiola made seven changes to the side that beat Crystal Palace 3–0 on Sunday, but the hosts faced little resistance from a Brentford team that offered minimal attacking threat.

After a sluggish start amid heavy rain, City began to assert control. Rayan Cherki dragged one effort wide and forced a save with another, while Oscar Bobb squandered a promising chance after weaving into the penalty area. His weak shot went straight at the goalkeeper, and the winger was forced off injured in the 19th minute, replaced by Phil Foden.

Foden later made way late in the match for 19-year-old Charlie Gray, who made his senior debut for City.

Brentford’s only notable opportunity of the first half came when Mathias Jensen tested City goalkeeper James Trafford with a free kick. Moments later, in the 32nd minute, City took the lead through Cherki.

A cleared corner fell to Cherki just outside the box, where he chested the ball down, shifted onto his right foot, and unleashed a stunning strike into the far top corner. The Frenchman celebrated with Erling Haaland’s trademark robot pose before greeting the striker, who was rested on the bench.

City doubled their advantage in the 67th minute when Savinho drove into the area and saw his shot deflect off Kristoffer Ajer, looping over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Late Miley Goal Sends Newcastle Through

Newcastle opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte parried a low cross from Jacob Murphy into the path of Yoane Wissa, who marked his first start for the club by finishing from close range.

Fulham responded six minutes later, with unmarked Sasa Lukic guiding a header into the corner from Antonee Robinson’s cross.

The hosts thought they had regained the lead in the 65th minute when Fulham defender Joachim Andersen turned the ball into his own net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Lecomte made a crucial added-time save to deny Miley, but from the resulting corner, the 18-year-old midfielder glanced a header into the net to seal Newcastle’s progression as the match appeared destined for a penalty shootout.

“I thought I’d try to flick it on, and luckily it went in. I’m buzzing,” Miley told Sky Sports.

“We won it last season, and hopefully we can do that again this year.” -Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters