Fourth competitive game, third win, third in a row: Manchester City is slowly picking up speed in the season after winning the triple. The reigning English champions beat that with a 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa furiously Newcastle United 1-0. In order to remain flawless in the league, Pep Guardiola had changed his team into two positions compared to the Supercup victory on penalties against Sevilla FC: Ruben Dias started for Aké, Alvarez for goalscorer Palmer.
One of these changes should stand out even before the change of sides. Because after a poor first half hour, in which Newcastle had started bravely, a moment of carelessness in the Magpies’ back line was enough for the not really lively looking home side: Foden served Alvarez from the inside right in the penalty area, who chased the ball into the left corner of the cross (31.) . Haaland almost increased before the break, but the ball just missed the goal (41st).
Haaland lacks the luck of the game
Newcastle had a single opportunity that Gordon destroyed himself with a technical mess (45+2). After the change of sides, the hosts wanted to bring about the decision – but Haaland didn’t have the necessary luck: The Norwegian shot wide by centimeters before Pope prevented the impact with a great foot reflex (63′, 65′). The Norwegian quarreled with gestures.
In the final quarter of an hour, ManCity dropped lower in order to possibly bring about the decision through a counterattack. The project nipped Guardiola’s team in the bud with inaccuracies. Only Foden was really close to making it 2-0, who harmonized splendidly with Haaland and was now staged by the Norwegian – but Pope put his foot out again (89th). So it stayed with the narrow but deserved success for the master. It was the 17th in a row (!) at the Etihad.
The guest appearance at Sheffield United is waiting for ManCity next Sunday at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, Newcastle are rushing from one top game to the next: Two and a half hours after the City appearance, the Magpies welcome Liverpool FC.
