Match Reflection: Newcastle United 0 - 2 Manchester City

Merlin inspires City to quarter finals

By Jack Mumford

City finally reached the end of their long run of away games last night after a lifeless second string side crawled past Newcastle United 2-0 after extra time at St James’ Park. The Blues will now travel to Leicester City in the last eight of the Capital One Cup.

Photo: Official MCFC Facebook

However, Manuel Pellegrini will be worried tonight after Stevan Jovetić and Micah Richards both left the pitch injured. 

Montenegrin Jovetić lasted only 10 minutes in his return from a hamstring injury and Richards hobbled off the pitch after 80 minutes suggesting he was struggling with cramp.  

Last night ended the sequence of 4 successive away games in 11 days which has included two trips to London to face West Ham and Chelsea and the long haul flight to Moscow.

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

Match Reflection: Manchester City 4 - 0 Newcastle

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.

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.

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. 

In the Spotlight: Newcastle United

No.1: Joe Kinnear, Newcastle's pre-season and City's danger man

Josh has strong words on Kinnear

By Aaron Leggott

Alongside "Blue Review," we will be bringing yet another new feature to our readers during the 2013/14 season as we put the spotlight on a fan from upcoming opposition. This week was the turn of Josh Pinchin, a keen follower of the Magpies...

A new season and a fresh start for both teams. Can you see Newcastle getting a positive result at the Etihad on Monday? 

Josh: I can’t see Newcastle winning the game. City are too strong defensively and realistically we will have to score at least twice to win because there is no way we will keep a clean sheet at the Ethiad.

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.

Newcastle 0 - 2 City: Match Report

Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe

Is the Premier League finally heading to East Manchester?

By Aaron Leggott

To say being a City fan these past few decades has been tough would be an understatement. After our infamous League Cup victory way back in 1976, there were signs of cobwebs starting to appear in our trophy cabinet. That was until Yaya Toure secured the FA Cup at Wembley against Stoke last season, and it seems that the Ivorian giant has done it again to clinch the Premier League for the Blues barring a miracle. 

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.