Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle: 5 Talking Points

Final score: Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United

Goalscorers: Sergio Aguero - 34', 63', 83' (Manchester City), Jacob Murphy - 67' (Newcastle)

After being stunned by Liverpool in their first league defeat of the season just a week ago, Manchester City hosted a determined Newcastle United side for their Matchday 24 clash in the Premier League.

Pep Guardiola's side personified the popular phrase "Beware the wounded animal" in rather convincing fashion. The Citizens romped to a 3-1 victory, bolstered by Sergio Aguero's indomitable hat-trick.

The Argentine gave the hosts the lead in the 34th minute, before doubling it in the 63rd. Jacob Murphy then went on to pull one back in the 67th minute for the Magpies, before Aguero sealed the game with his 3rd of the night in the 83rd minute.

Without further ado, here are 5 key talking points from the encounter:

#5 Manchester City get right back on the horse

Just a week after being pummeled into submission by a rampant Liverpool side - for the first time domestically this season, all eyes were on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City last night. The world hadn't witnessed this side lose, and ostensibly, the world was desperate to see how they responded.

Would they bounce back? Or would further cracks start to appear?

Well, the Manchester-based side did bounce back, and in style, to prove that the loss to Liverpool was nothing but an aberration, let alone a cause for concern.

City dominated the game from the get-go, allowing Newcastle just 19% possession of the ball throughout the game. They created chances aplenty, but despite taking a total of 21 shots, of which 9 were on target, Manchester City squandered most of their opportunities.

However, Guardiola's men did register what turned out to be a comfortable victory in the end, to maintain their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League table - a spot they're highly unlikely to relinquish this season.

#4 Winter signings - Newcastle's greatest necessity

Just over a week left before the transfer window closes. Can Rafa Benitez pull something off?

Manchester City needed to redeem themselves, but it was at the cost of the Magpies, who were shut out and silenced for most parts of the game.

Newcastle, who had impressed many with their recent performances after having tumbled down the table, despite a positive start to the season, entered the game having lost just 1 out of their previous 6 games across all competitions - the reverse leg against Manchester City at the end of last month.

Last night, however, they were utterly outperformed as the league leaders took control of the game early, ending hopes of ascension up the table for Rafa Benitez's men.

With the end of the transfer window looming, yesterday's game must act as an eye-opener among the Newcastle bosses, who will be prudent to acknowledge the need for new faces in order to save grace.

In his post-match interview, manager Rafa Benitez shared his opinion on the matter, by saying:

"It's the Premier League and everyone is spending a lot of money," said Benitez.

"That is why we expect something in this window. Hopefully we can see some new faces before the end of this window."

Only time will tell if Newcastle can manage to plug their holes and save what could soon become a sinking ship.

#3 Sergio Aguerooooo

Boy, oh boy! This man sure drives the commentators nuts more often than not. Aguero confirmed what most people had started to believe - Kun was going to rise again. And rise he has.

With the first perfect Premier League hat-trick of the year, his second for the season, and his 11th hat-trick in a City shirt, Sergio Aguero emphatically validated his spot on the starting 11, ahead of Gabriel Jesus.

The Argentine took a total of 7 shots (1 more than the entire Newcastle side), of which 4 were on target and 3 found the back of the net.

He gave the hosts the lead, finding the back of the net with a paper-thin headed deflection on a Kevin De Bruyne strike. Aguero then stepped up to take the penalty awarded to Raheem Sterling well into the second half, as he nonchalantly put it past Karl Darlow, who moved the right way, but was ultimately a mere spectator with the best view.

In the 83rd, he struck yet again - this time with his left foot - to put the final nail in Newcastle's coffin, and restore a familiar sense of triumph among the City faithful.

Notably, Aguero also made 5 successful dribbles and finished the game with an impressive passing accuracy of 90%, and was expectedly awarded the man of the match award.

#2 Relegation battle in sight for Newcastle

After an impressive run of results that saw Newcastle begin a slow, but steady ascent up the Premier League table, last night's defeat against the league leaders will have an impactful influence on what remains of Newcastle's season.

The Magpies started the season spectacularly, hanging around the top half of the table for several weeks. However, things soon began to go wrong for them, and they subsequently found themselves languishing in 18th place - Not somewhere you want to be. Especially if you've only just been promoted.

2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses (yep, both were against City) in their last 6 Premier League games have anchored them at 15th place on the table.

But, with just 11 points separating 9th place from the 20th, and more specifically, just 7 points separating 9th place from the relegation zone, one can undeniably expect an intense rat-race to unfold in the lower half of the table over the next few months.

Unfortunately, for Rafael Benitez and Newcastle, they find themselves smack dab in the middle of it.

#1 Chelsea's record for most points in sight for Manchester City

Can City break Chelsea's record for most points in a Premier League season?

It's almost daunting to imagine the extent of what Manchester City could achieve by the end of the season. While to the joy of most Arsenal fans, Invincibles is unequivocally impossible, there still lies a plethora of records and milestones that could be left shattered by this insuppressible run, and not to mention, a number of trophies still to be won.

One massive record that's definitely in their sight is the one Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side set at the end of the 2004/05 season - Most points in a Premier League season (95)

That Chelsea side were also ruthless, as they lost just 1 game all season, drew 8, and won the rest, scoring 72 goals and conceding just 15.

Manchester City may have already conceded more goals, but have scored 70 goals - Just 2 fewer, with 14 league games to go. Most important, however, is the number of points that were amassed by that Chelsea side.

24 games into the season, City find themselves comfortably atop the table with a remarkable total of 65 points, leaving Pep and Co. just 31 points adrift of a new top-notch record. In the form that they're in, they should easily waltz past it.

You'll have to consider these factors though - Firstly, out of their 14 remaining games, 4 are against the better teams in the league - Arsenal(A), Chelsea(H), Manchester United(H), Tottenham Hotspur(A). Any of these teams, on their days, could just manage to steal some points.

Secondly, in what could prove to be the more decisive factor, Manchester City are, quite literally, competing on all fronts this season. They're very much a force to reckon with in the FA Cup, they have 1 foot into the finals of the Carabao Cup, and they've comfortably qualified for the UEFA Champions League.

All of the aforementioned competitions only become tougher over time and the further that City progress, the more of a toll it'll take on the team. Potential injuries, unavoidable squad rotations, and high pressure are just some of the accompanying side-effects.

Over the next few months, if and when City make it to the final stages of these competitions, will the mighty Citizens still be able to maintain their dominance and continue to assert themselves in the Premier League? What do you think?

Edited by Shambhu Ajith