The defendingchampions got off to a winning start today after toiling to a 2-0 victory over a resillient Newcastle United. Manuel Pellegrinis men were good but still seem to be in need of further fine tuning. The difference in the end was class. Two classy finishes was all that separated the two team in an exciting that embodied the fast paced Premier League that we have come to love. Here are the 5 things we learnt from the game:
#1 Difference in class in final-third
There was never much between the sides in this game. While Manchester City edged it in terms of possession, one could argue that some of the best chances fell Newcastle’s way in this one.
However, the difference proved to be the class in the final third. While Newcastle had 12 shots on Manchester City’s goal, none of them was on target. Some rash decisions, rush of blood and inept finishing accounted for Joe Hart never truly being called into action in this game.
Meanwhile at the other end, two distinct clear-cut opportunities were created and duly converted. City showed the true gulf in class between the two sides especially in the final third. Newcastle, especially their host of new boys were given a quick lesson in the ruthless nature of the league.
#2 Fernando could be the buy of the summer
The under the radar acquisition of Fernando might mean well turn out to be the best piece of business this summer done by any club in the Premier League.
In Fernando, the Blues have a gem on their hand at £12 million. The mid-field enforcer looks every bit a player worthy of getting into a side with Championship on their mind. The defensive minded midfielder known as the “Octopus” looks like someone who can truly unburden Yaya Toure from his defensive duties and take City to the next level. This is what Pellegrini had expected from the likes Jack Rodwell and Javi Garcia but the duo never really stepped up to the plate like the Brazilian has done in only one game.
Fernando broke up play and more importantly read the game to be “man on the spot” on more than occasion. Not only does he have the physicality to take the hits in the Premier League, but also the pace and the engine to go along with it. These qualities were never as prominent as in a sequence of events late on in the game to seal it for City.
A delightfully chipped ball from Remy Cabella in the 80th minute had played in fellow Newcastle debutant Ayoze Perez in on goal. An equally delightful first touch from the ex-Tenerife man to drag it on to his right saw him lose his defender and deliver a shot that was bound to nestle into the bottom corner of the goal. But Perez’s moment of glory was not to be as Fernando summoned up all the energy in him to track back and stretched every sinew to put in a vital block that saw the ball sail narrowly wide of the target.
#3 Newcastles new faces are truly reason to get excited about
Newcastle have totally rejigged their side this summer with nine signings. While the new arrivals have given the Magpies a much needed face-lift, the mood at Tyneside was still that of “cautious optimism” before the game as none of them, barring Jack Colback had truly been tested in the Premier League.
Newcastle featured four debutants in the starting line-up and a further two came in as subs to take their bow and if first impressions are anything to go by, there should be nothing for the Newcastle fans to worry.
Remy Cabella was a bagful of tricks (4/6 successful take-ons) who more than once threatened to open up the Manchester City backline (3 chances created). The Frenchman also showed a feisty side to his game, tracking back and doing the dirty work when needed.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Riviere and later Ayoze Perez showed some real promise. Their clever runs and fierce pace brought them menacingly close on several occasions to opening the scoring for Newcastle.
Daryl Janmaat on the other hand had a different experience. The Dutch international was forced to learn the hard way about the truly unforgiving nature of this league, but even his performance will have the Magpies hoping of better things to come.
The impressive debut however belonged to Jack Colback, who handed one of the best performances in midfield. The young English midfielder had no problems settling into the new atmosphere at St. James Park following his controversial move from North-East rivals The 24-year old went shoulder to shoulder with the champions for the whole ninety minutes, giving them all he got and then some. His passing was crisp (1 chance created on 89% passing rate) and his reading of the game top-notch (game high 5 interceptions).
#4 David Silva is turning the screws again
David Silva was one of the most instrumental players in the Manchester City ranks during the 2011/12 and 2012/13 campaigns.
Last season, however, was a step sideways for David Silva and his ever-growing career graph as the diminutive Spaniard never quite got going. Even though City went on to win the Premier League, Silva would have wanted to have a bigger contribution to the win.
Going by first impression, Silva seemed to be back to his tricky best for this campaign. The Spaniard was at the heart of everything good that was emanating from the Manchester side going forward. He was the main puppet master, playing in the hole behind Stefan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko.
His great performance was rounded-off with a well-taken goal that put City in the driver’s seat.
#5 Not the greatest of performances, but a win none the less
Manchester City was good without ever being brilliant. Neither did they have a long spell of possession, nor were they able to toy around with Newcastle as they have done in recent season. However, they went out and achieved the one single thing they took the pitch for: all three points.
To be a true championship contender, one has to win games beautiful and ugly. While this was no ugly win by any means, City never got further than third gear for this one.
Now, that’s the sign of true championship contender.
