THE MIGHTY MOUSH

OMAR MARMOUSH helped himself to a double to fire Manchester City into the Carabao Cup final and leave Newcastle feeling punch drunk.

- BY JEREMY CROSS

Eddie Howe's men might have been huge underdogs following their first-leg defeat.

But Newcastle's defence of the trophy was crushed with little more than a whimper from the holders.

City were in cruise control from start to finish and will now look forward to a crunch showdown with title rivals Arsenal in the final. Marmoush scored twice before halftime and Tijjani Reijnders added a third to rub Newcastle's noses in the dirt.

The first of the many trophies Guardiola has won as City boss was the Carabao Cup.

That triumph came over Arsenal back in 2018 - and Guardiola will be looking for a repeat result of that occasion when the heavyweights collide again on Sunday, March 22.

He knew City had been in pole position to start getting measured up for their Wembley suits, having secured a two-goal advantage from the first leg at St James' Park.

The visitors had a mountain to climb - and even history wasn't on their side.

No team had ever reached a Carabao Cup final after losing the opening leg at home by two or more goals.