Manuel Pellegrini’s era starts with an emphatic win over Newcastle
By Alex Mason
Manchester City have got off to a fantastic start to the Premier League season as they brushed away ten man Newcastle. The game was the first for new boss Manuel Pellegrini as he watched his very impressive City side bully Newcastle in a very one-sided game.
City began the game very brightly and could have scored within the first 3 minutes. Jesús Navas' cross went straight to the path of Sergio Agüero, whose shot was well saved by a very busy Tim Krul. A minute later it was Edin Džeko's turn to test Krul after his shot was brilliantly saved by the Dutchman. The goal City deserved came on the 6th minute when Džeko's cross met the head of little Spaniard David Silva.
City then could have had a penalty when Mathieu Debuchy tangled with Yaya Touré on 12 minutes. New signing Fernandinho then found Džeko in the box but his shot went inches wide. Only a minute later Džeko played a clever flick to Sergio Agüero whose pace beat Newcastle defender Steven Taylor before stroking a precise finish past Krul.
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| Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring City's second goal of the night Photo: Official MCFC Facebook |
On the 30th minute Džeko, who had a brilliant game, was then booked for tangling with Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. Minutes later Fernandinho was in the referee’s book after sliding in on Yoan Gouffran. Referee Andre Marriner then booked Moussa Sissoko for hacking Agüero down in what was a busy night for the referee. City’s free-kick was awarded to Navas as his shot went inches wide of the post.
Newcastle’s frustrations were growing. Debuchy received a yellow card for throwing the ball away in frustration before the Magpies night went from bad to worse when Jonás Gutiérrez went off with what seemed to be a hamstring injury. And then five minutes before half-time, Cheick Tioté then hit a sublime shot which Joe Hart saved comfortably - which proved to be the only shot on target for Newcastle. City then had a penalty appeal when Agüero's shot seemed to have hit the hand of Taylor, but Marriner waved any appeals away. On the stroke of half-time, Steven Taylor received a straight red for swiping a forearm at Agüero. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew made one last change before half-time, bringing on Paul Dummett for Gouffran.
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| Photo: Official MCFC Facebook |
The second-half started in a similar fashion to the first period. Agüero twisted and turned and when his cross met Džeko, it should've been 3-0, only for a marvellous save from Krul. But the Dutch keeper was not to prevent City again, and moments later Touré executed an exquisite freekick from 25 yards out to extend City's lead.
Pellegrini then made his first substitution for the Blues, bringing on Samir Nasri and taking off Agüero on the 60th minute. A minute later Nasri played in Džeko for his attempt to be easily saved by Krul. Newcastle changed things up by taking off Hatem Ben Arfa and replacing him for Sammy Ameobi in the 64th minute.
City made their second change of the night just five minutes later when Javi Garcia replaced Vincent Kompany after the captain picked up a slight knock. Hopefully the injury will not keep him out for too long, with City only having one recognised centre-back in Joleon Lescott.
It was on the 74th minute when Nasri reacted the quickest to a loose ball in Newcastle’s defence, for the Frenchman to slot in the fourth goal of the game. Alvaro Negredo then made his City debut when he replaced a very impressive Silva in the 80th minute. Negredo was then denied his debut goal when his effort was ruled offside with minutes to play.
Stats
City Newcastle
55% Possession 45%
20 (11) Shots (on target) 5 (1)
8 Corners 1
9 Fouls 7
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