Man City a 'perfect' place to thrive: Semenyo

NEWCASTLE, England — Antoine Semenyo believes he is in the perfect place to thrive after scoring in each of his first two games for Manchester City.

The Ghana international has made an instant impact since his 65 million pound ($87 million) move from Bournemouth last week and netted the opening goal in City's 2-0 League Cup semifinal, first-leg win at Newcastle on Tuesday.

Semenyo, who scored in a 10-1 thrashing of Exeter in the FA Cup on Saturday, also had a second goal controversially ruled out by a lengthy VAR review at St James' Park.

"The whole environment here is perfect. Everyone is confident and wanting to achieve the best. I have come into that and they helped with my confidence and made me feel welcome," said Semenyo, who now has 12 goals in all competitions this season.

"It's been a lot, but I have enjoyed it so far. I am picking things up very quickly and enjoying it.

"I am just taking the confidence I had from Bournemouth here and playing with a smile on my face. I am enjoying every moment."

Rayan Cherki struck what could be the knockout blow to the holder deep into nine minutes of added time due to the interruption for the VAR review on Semenyo's disallowed goal.

Despite taking a commanding lead, City was still furious at the decision, with Pep Guardiola citing two penalties his side was not awarded in its 2-1 defeat to Newcastle earlier in the season in the Premier League.

"It should have been 3-0, but we are quite used to this at the moment," said City captain Bernardo Silva.

"It is so frustrating, because the last time we came here we also had a lot of decisions go against us."

Hunting for trophies

The 26-year-old Semenyo is already looking like a shrewd buy for City after establishing himself as one of the Premier League's top talents for Bournemouth. He scored 10 goals for the Cherries this season.

"He's not just a very good player, but a very good guy, which helps, which fits into the team," Silva said."He's a fantastic guy who wants to play collectively, wants to help, wants to have fun, and we are delighted with the way he's started."

Semenyo has added another dimension to City's attack as Guardiola targets four trophies this term.

The League Cup could be the first of those, with City holding a two-goal advantage against holder Newcastle heading into next month's second leg, which will be a home fixture for City.

Semenyo converted from close range with a simple finish in the 53rd minute to put City ahead in Newcastle. He looked like he'd scored a far more spectacular second with a backheel volley — but after a lengthy VAR check, it was ruled out because Erling Haaland was in an offside position.

City is an eight-time winner of the League Cup, with Guardiola lifting it on four occasions since taking over the club. City last won it in 2021.

City's four-pronged trophy hunt this term follows a season when it finished empty-handed for the first time in eight years.

Trailing Premier League leader Arsenal by six points, second-placed City is also well-positioned in the Champions League and is into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Agencies