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Manchester City took their winning run to 18 games as they rather uncharacteristically picked up a modest win against Rafa Benitez's men at their own patch. As they sit atop with a 15 point cushion, the question is as loud as ever--- Who can stop them now?
The visitors exploited the space afforded to them by the hosts as they turned the game into a passing drill of sorts and drilled the Magpies into a wall. Raheem Sterling scored for the Cityzens in the 31st minute after De Bruyne pulled off a De Bruyne with a delightful dinked ball into the box.
Here are the 5 key talking points from the game:
#5 Kompany's injury woes might just push Pep over the edge
Pep Guardiola is not exactly pleased with Vincent Kompany for sustaining a calf injury. Now, I, for one, do not understand the rationale behind the anger, but I do understand how frustrating it must be to see your best defender struggle for fitness like this.
On Wednesday night, Pep got hit by a double-decker bus. The first deck carried the news of Virgil Van Dijk signing for Liverpool and the second, a captain sans fitness.
‘I don’t know,’
‘I don’t know what is going to happen. Unfortunately he is injured again like the last three years.'
‘We are going to see how long it will be before he is ready.’
While the bitterness in the tone might be a bit unfair, you can definitely understand why things took that course as the seemingly invincible pack of wolves have a fresh casualty and a real problem to address in the January transfer window.
#4 Newcastle lucky to not be swamped
If it wasn't for City's profligacy in front of goal, the Magpies would have got drowned in a pool of goals and the officers on the scene would file the report without even flinching and categorize the slaughter under 'routine and ordinary'.
Newcastle United weren't willing to take the game to the Cityzens and instead turned into a pressure sponge as they sat deep and let them take complete control over the game.
On a night when Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero were wasteful in front of goal, Manchester City took close to 20 shots on goal and found the net just once. Well, that was enough.
In fact, Newcastle were decent for a total of 10 minutes in the entire game and one such spell came right after City scored. Benitez's men looked like they will stop at nothing to pull one back and Rolando Aarons nearly did that but for Otamendi's spectacular headed clearance at the goalline.
#3 The mandatory 'We need to talk about Kevin' point
Alright, this was a good 10 miles off his best performance. That is exactly why we need to talk about it. Kevin De Bruyne on his worst day is still good enough to make you go 'Woof' at least 5 times over the course of 90 minutes.
The commentators were going on and on about how KDB was sending in missiles to the top corner during the practice session before kick-off. The Belgian never needed a second invitation to leather the ball with his left and his right on several occasions but unfortunately, this just wasn't his night.
But that's alright. He still played the most outrageous one-two I've seen in recent history as he chipped a ball into the box to find a Sterling who made a brilliant run into the area after linking up well with the man himself.
Oh, and also this...
#2 Benitez has serious January business to do
Amidst all the takeover talks and hospital drips, Rafa Benitez's men are going through a very tough period. The match was done and dusted the very second Jonjoe Shelvy went for goal straight from kickoff with as speculative a strike as you're ever going to see.
The lack of quality is there for all to see and Benitez would be happy that they conceded only one. The Spaniard made 5 changes to his squad and quite clearly, it is the 3 points on offer against Brighton in the weekend that excites Rafa more at this point than the opportunity to cause a genuine upset.
But you can't blame him either. Unless Newcastle pull off some good business in the winter transfer window, it will be quite difficult to turn things around. For this very reason, the Magpies may easily end up fighting for survival with the relegation battlers breathing down their necks now.
#1 Squad depth and that boy Sterling
Nobody likes a snob. After seeing all his shenanigans from a couple of years back when Liverpool weren't willing to let him go, you'd be excused for having a sour taste in your mouth. And most people, Scousers in particular, would have just sat back hoping to be gifted an opportunity to belt him if at all he doesn't realize his true potential.
What a cynical thought! But who cares now? Raheem Sterling is one of the most menacing forces of destruction in Pep's arsenal at the moment. He is 3rd in the list of top scorers this season with 13 goals and his record is only bettered by the inimitable Mo Salah and Harry freaking Kane.
Sterling puts it all on show now, precise passing, intelligent running and a newly acquired ability to link up with teammates in the most enviable fashion. He twists and turns and drives around causing chaos. His calmness in front of goal is reassuring.
Manchester City started the game without David Silva, Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane. Though Jesus was brought on for an injured Kompany, City never looked like they were stripped off their riches at any point in the game. They're just that damn good. If they were clinical in front of goal, this would have looked more like a Manchester City result.
Having this kindof squad depth is exactly what will ensure City's presence in Europe's elite competition, maybe until the very end.
