Match Preview: Newcastle United vs Manchester City

City divert attention to domestic cup action after Chelsea defeat

By Rebecca Halliwell

The fourth round of the Capital One Cup sees Manchester City travelling to St James’ Park. 

Manchester City will want to win to make amends for their defeat to Chelsea at the weekend. Their away form seemed to be improving but a late goal from Fernando Torres saw City limited to four points out of a possible 15. 

While the Capital One Cup won’t be on the top of Manuel Pellegrini’s must-win list, the Chilean will be expected to put out a good squad and prove the Blues depth. 

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

In the Spotlight: Newcastle United

No. 11: A Derby defeat, Loïc Rémy and Sammy Ameobi

By Aaron Leggott

Following Sunday's catastrophic 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, the Blues turn their attention to domestic cup football as they travel to the North East to play Newcastle. The previous meeting between the sides saw City come out 4-0 winners. I spoke with Newcastle fan Adam Johnson (@ajnufc) to get an update on our opponents. 

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Manchester City 4 - 0 Newcastle: Thoughts and Ratings

By Alex Mason

My thoughts

Last night’s game against Newcastle United was a walk in the park for many of the City players. This is mainly because Newcastle had 10 men for 45 minutes, and when your team is up against the likes of David Silva, Sergio Agüero and Yaya Touré, your team is in for a long game.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

There were a lot of positives out of last night’s game for City. However, an injury to captain Vincent Kompany will have City sweating, as they only have one fit centre-back in Joleon Lescott. Young prospect Matija Nastasić is out with an ankle injury, but he is expected to be back in training this week. City will need to recruit another centre-back if they are to win the Premier League. It will be very hard to play 38 Premier League games alongside the FA Cup, Capital One Cup and Champions League with only three recognised centre-backs. Of course Micah Richards and Javi García can fill in at centre-back, but I believe that they play better football in their regular positions.

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Newcastle

Manuel Pellegrini set to kick off new era at Manchester City

By Aaron Leggott

After just over two months into his new post as Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini will be itching to finally see his new look side take their place on the Etihad turf to kick off their Premier League campaign on Monday night.

With changes in senior management at Chelsea and Manchester United as well, Pellegrini has kept himself away from the spotlight, helping the Blues get about their transfer business with minimal fuss.

Fernandinho, Jesús Navas, Álvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetić have all made the moves to the Etihad Stadium to play for one of Europe's biggest clubs, and Pellegrini has strengthened well in potentially weak areas.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

And whilst rivals have stuttered in the transfer market, City got their business done early and with that they have got a settled squad seemingly capable of challenging on all fronts. 

Match Reflection: Manchester City 4 - 0 Newcastle

David Silva scores City's second of the game.

"Kaptain" Kompany returns as City record comfortable win

By Aaron Leggott

Roberto Mancini might have conceded the Premier League title, but his players aren't ready to give up on a strong finish to the season just yet.

Goals from Carlos Tevez, David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure ensured City strolled to victory at the Etihad Stadium yesterday.

And despite a couple of testing efforts from the visitors at the start of the second half, they were deservedly beaten and worries of relegation are increasingly looming upon the Magpies.

Match Preview: Manchester City vs Newcastle

Aguero set to return after injury

By Aaron Leggott

After missing the last three weeks of action through injury, City are ready to welcome back Sergio Aguero to the starting eleven after he recovered from the knee problem that kept him out.

There will also be a late fitness test for captain Vincent Kompany, who despite missing the past eight weeks, was picked to represent his country midweek as Belgium beat Macedonia 1-0. 

Considering he was out for so long, the decision taken by the Belgian boss Marc Wilmots hasn't been taken kindly by Roberto Mancini.

City vs Newcastle: Match Preview

Same again please... 44 years on!

By Dave Walker

If history repeats itself at St James’ Park tomorrow afternoon, Manchester City will be just one step away from being proclaimed Premier league champions.

It’s 44 years since a marauding City, under Joe Mercer & Malcolm Allison, took Tyneside by storm winning the last game of the season 4-3, and with it the old Division One Championship.

The parallels between then and Roberto Mancini’s team are uncanny; if City win it will be their 10^th away victory of the season – the same as 1968. Thus far City have recorded 17 home wins – the same as 1968 – but that will surely change to 18 with a win over QPR on 13 May.