Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has publicly urged the club to formally request a rule change that would permit new signing Marc Guehi to feature in next month's Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. The England international defender, who joined from Crystal Palace in January, was ineligible for City's 3-1 semi-final second leg victory over Newcastle United on Tuesday night.
Rule Dispute Over January Signings
While fellow January recruit Antoine Semenyo was cleared to play against Newcastle, Guehi was barred from participation because he completed his transfer after the first leg of the semi-final had already taken place. Under current Carabao Cup regulations, this timing renders him unavailable for the entire competition's knockout stages.
Guardiola expressed clear frustration with this situation, stating: 'Why should he not play? Why not? He's our player, we pay his salary, we hired him... I don't understand the reason why he cannot play in the final of the Carabao Cup in March when he has been here a long time.'
Guardiola's Determination Despite Low Expectations
The Catalan manager acknowledged that successfully altering competition rules at this stage appears unlikely, but insisted City will present their case regardless. 'Of course we are going to ask because it's pure logic,' Guardiola explained. '(But) to change the rule, no way. But we will try.'
This leaves Guehi facing the prospect of watching from the sidelines when City face Premier League leaders Arsenal at Wembley on March 22, a scenario Guardiola clearly finds unacceptable given the defender's immediate integration into City's starting lineup since his arrival.
Additional Grievances About Final Venue
Guardiola's complaints extended beyond player eligibility to include familiar frustrations about Wembley hosting yet another major final. 'We're going to travel to London [for the Carabao Cup final], they [Arsenal] will wait for us there; all the time we have to travel,' he remarked. 'Never [the opposition] travel to the North of England [for a Final].'
Comfortable Semi-Final Progression
City secured their place in the final with minimal difficulty against Newcastle, building on their 2-0 first-leg advantage. Omar Marmoush scored twice within the opening 35 minutes before Tijjani Reijnders added a third, effectively ending the contest before halftime.
Anthony Elanga's 62nd-minute consolation for Newcastle provided brief concern, but City comfortably maintained control to continue their remarkable record of appearing at Wembley at least once every season since 2010-11.
Guardiola reflected on this sustained success: 'I do not take it for granted. I know how difficult it is. I don't know how many semi-finals and finals we have played in the FA Cup but it's really good, and in 10 years five Carabao Cup finals so it's really good: top, top, top.'
Player Performances and Opposition Reaction
Marmoush, who previously scored a hat-trick against Newcastle, impressed once again with Erling Haaland starting on the bench. Guardiola praised the Egyptian forward's contribution: 'He gives us a special quality. His pace, his moments in behind, and his work ethic.'
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expressed disappointment with his team's first-half performance: '(I was) really annoyed with the first half display. We pride ourselves on being really organised and tactically we want to be able to handle any problem the opposition gives us. That first half we weren't good enough individually and our duels were off and it gave us huge problems.'
Howe's concerns were compounded by Anthony Gordon's hamstring injury before halftime, adding to Newcastle's frustrations on a night where they arrived in Manchester needing a strong start but found themselves effectively eliminated within the opening 35 minutes.
