Man City Shine Without Haaland in Carabao Cup Semi-Final

Manchester City showcased impressive attacking prowess in their Carabao Cup semi-final victory over Newcastle United, sparking debate among fans about the team’s fluidity without Erling Haaland leading the line.

Manchester City Book Wembley Final Without Haaland’s Goals

Manchester City, already holding a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, delivered a commanding performance at the Etihad Stadium to secure their spot in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. With Erling Haaland starting on the bench, Pep Guardiola’s side wasted no time imposing themselves on Newcastle. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring after just seven minutes, doubling his tally by the 29th minute. Tijjani Reijnders made it 3-0 before halftime, effectively ending Newcastle’s hopes of a comeback.

City continued their dominance in the second half, eventually running out 5-1 winners on aggregate. Haaland, despite coming off the bench, was unable to find the net, extending his run to just one goal in the last eight games across all competitions.

Fans Debate: Is Manchester City Better Without Haaland?

The post-match conversation on social media quickly turned to Erling Haaland’s recent form and Manchester City’s performance in his absence. Several fans suggested that City’s pressing and fluid attacking play looked more cohesive without relying on their Norwegian striker. One supporter commented, “Our press is better without Haaland. Big issue.” Another added, “We play across the lines so much better without that Norwegian donkey. Haaland, you will pay for your crimes.”

While the comments were often harsh, a recurring theme was the perceived increase in flexibility and dynamism when City play with a more mobile forward line. “We are more flexible with anyone not named Haaland playing striker,” wrote another fan, noting Marmoush’s ability to exploit space behind the defense.

Pep Guardiola Defends His Star Striker

Despite the criticism, manager Pep Guardiola was quick to back his leading scorer. Addressing the media, Guardiola stated, “God bless that we have Erling in our team. We are fortunate to have him and without him we would not be in the position we are in now. He brings a lot and is improving in many areas. It’s a tough period with games every three days, minimal recovery, and facing tough defenders. He’ll be back to scoring soon.”

Guardiola’s comments underlined Haaland’s importance to Manchester City’s overall campaign, reminding fans of the striker’s qualities, even during a goal drought.

Omar Marmoush Stars as Manchester City March On

Omar Marmoush, the star of the evening, spoke to Sky Sports after his two-goal performance. “We showed a very good mentality and stayed focused from the first minute. The team worked together, and I’m happy to help by scoring twice. Of course, I wished for a hat-trick, but the most important thing is reaching the final and giving the team confidence.”

Marmoush’s clinical finishing and movement off the ball gave Manchester City an extra dimension in attack, supporting the view that the squad can adapt their style as needed.

Manchester City’s Road to the Carabao Cup Final

City’s emphatic win sets up a mouth-watering final against Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, March 22, 2026. With the Premier League title race heating up and City trailing Arsenal by six points, the upcoming weeks promise to be crucial for Guardiola’s men. Their next challenge is a high-profile clash against Liverpool at Anfield, where maintaining momentum will be vital.

For more news and in-depth coverage of Manchester City’s journey, visit for more news.

Opinion: Haaland’s Role Remains Vital Despite Recent Critique

While Manchester City’s performance without Haaland was undoubtedly impressive, it would be premature to downplay the Norwegian’s value. Even during a goal drought, Haaland’s presence changes the dynamic of City’s attack and draws defenders, creating opportunities for teammates. The diversity in attacking options is a testament to Guardiola’s tactical flexibility, and finding the right balance will be crucial as City fight on multiple fronts.