Manchester City can boast of having many world-class and talented players at the club after their recent transfer business. Even though, Pep Guardiola’s side signed many top players, Rayan Cherki was described as the signing of the season.
Cherki’s growing influence at City was underlined once again on Tyneside, where a brief but decisive cameo helped Pep Guardiola’s side take firm control of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United.
The France forward needed little more than 20 minutes to leave his mark at St James’ Park. Introduced late on, Cherki capped a composed City display with a stoppage-time goal that sealed a 2-0 first-leg victory and drew glowing praise from former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
City had already laid solid foundations through Antoine Semenyo’s opener, controlling possession and tempo against a Newcastle side roared on by a passionate home crowd.
But it was Cherki’s contribution off the bench that added a decisive edge, giving City a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg at the Etihad Stadium.
For Jamie Redknapp, the 22-year-old’s impact was further evidence of a player who has adapted seamlessly to English football and is now setting the standard among summer arrivals.
“You want to watch players light the stadium up. Georgi Kinkladze at Man City was a maverick but wasn’t great without the ball, Cherki does a job without it,” Redknapp said
“He’s been an unbelievable signing. The signing of the season for me. I love to watch mavericks play football,” he added.
Those words reflect a wider sense that Cherki is fast becoming one of the Premier League’s most watchable talents, combining flair with discipline in a side already stacked with technical quality.
Cherki’s rise and instant impact at City
Signed from Lyon for a reported fee of €37m, Cherki arrived in Manchester with a reputation as a gifted but sometimes inconsistent talent.
In Ligue 1, his ability had rarely been questioned, yet there were doubts about whether his style would translate to the speed and physical demands of the Premier League.
So far, those concerns have been emphatically answered. Cherki has produced goals and assists at a remarkable rate, contributing six goals and nine assists since his summer move.
Beyond the raw numbers, it is the timing and significance of his contributions that have stood out.
He has already delivered decisive moments in key matches: a late winner against Nottingham Forest in the league, a spectacular strike against Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and now a potentially tie-defining goal in a semi-final away from home.
Against Newcastle, Cherki entered the match in the 77th minute, with City looking comfortable but still aware of the dangers posed by their hosts.
As the clock ticked into added time, he drifted into space, showed calmness inside the penalty area and finished with assurance to double City’s lead in the 98th minute.
That goal not only gave City breathing room but also shifted the balance of the tie decisively in their favour. Newcastle, who had hoped to keep the deficit manageable, now face a daunting task when they travel to Manchester.
Jamie Redknapp was particularly impressed by the intelligence of Cherki’s movement and his technical execution in the closing stages.
“Cherki is a wizard. Some of the things he’s doing with the ball at the moment is magnificent. The flick and then to get into the box for the goal,” said Redknapp as he highlighted the Frenchman’s late finish.
“You never know how players like this will adjust to the Premier League. Cherki has shown he can do it with the ball and without it,” added Redknapp.
That balance between creativity and work rate has been crucial under Guardiola, whose demands on attackers extend far beyond moments of individual brilliance.
Cherki’s willingness to press, track back and maintain positional discipline has earned him trust, even when he starts matches on the bench.
City in control as Wembley beckons
City’s victory at St James’ Park was built on more than just individual flair. It was a performance defined by control, patience and tactical maturity, hallmarks of a Guardiola side well versed in navigating knockout competitions.
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Semenyo’s first-half goal set the tone, rewarding City’s early dominance and forcing Newcastle to chase the game. From there, Guardiola’s team managed proceedings with authority, limiting clear chances and slowing the tempo when required.
Cherki’s late strike added gloss to the scoreline, but it also carried significant psychological weight. A two-goal cushion gives City a strong platform ahead of the second leg, which will be played at the Etihad on 4 February.
With that advantage, Guardiola’s men are firmly on course to reach another Carabao Cup final, as they continue their pursuit of a fifth League Cup triumph under the Spanish coach.
The final is scheduled for Wembley on 22 March, a familiar destination for a City side that has dominated domestic cup competitions in recent years.
For Newcastle, the task is now steep. They will need to score at least twice away from home without reply to force extra time, a challenge made even harder by City’s defensive organisation and depth of quality across the pitch.
