Newcastle vs. Man City: Match Review

The scoreline ended 3-1 in favour of the current League holders. Aguero (10), Javi Garcia (39) and Yaya Toure (78) scored for City, whereas Demba Ba scored a 51st minute header. Overall, a supreme performance by City players and a satisfactory trip to the North-West for Mancini and Co.

City started the game in scintillating fashion, creating chances and passing beautifully, although Newcastle did counter-attack them on every opportunity, playing long balls. But as City picked up their game, the Toons consistently lacked spirit and simply, quality. Samir Nasri, the villain from the Manchester derby, really did have a bright start but was taken off towards the end of the first half due to an injury. He passed the ball smoothly and accurately, made darting runs into the box and off the ball, turned provider for City’s opening goal when he unselfishly passed the ball to Aguero and himself hit the outside of the post. He looked like a man on a mission, combining really well with David Silva and Sergio Aguero. David Silva, another standout performer for City today, continued to toil on the pitch after the departure of Nasri. Tevez continued to chase the ball upfront and along with Aguero, proved too much for Coloccini and Williamson.

The first half was completely dominated by Man City, barring the first 10 minutes i.e. until the first goal. Until then, City were finding it difficult just to keep possession but suddenly they were 1-0 up although they could have been trailing by two goals. But then there was no looking back. Newcastle tried to recover, playing long balls into the box and even came close to equalizing but Joe Hart rose to the occasion, brilliantly keeping out a low strike from Williamson in the 25th minute. Newcastle seemed to be pushing their way back into the game with some well-taken set pieces until Raul Garcia headed in to make it 2-0 with just seven minutes remaining in the first half as David Santon failed to clear his header from the line, swung his leg in the air and missed the ball completely. The remainder of the first half belonged to City with Newcastle making rare forward, meaningful runs with the ball. The City players went into the break with bumbling confidence and Newcastle, on the contrary, had a challenge on hand to earn something from the fixture.

After the break, the Newcastle players came out and started the second half on a bright note. Their was this attacking intent to pull back things. It looked as if Alan Pardew injected something into them. They didn’t change their style of play but now added meaning to it. Then, in the 51st minute, a poor clearance and the ball landed at the feet of Coloccini and he whipped it in towards the penalty spot, where Ba calmly headed it in past the advancing City keeper, Hart. Finally, Newcastle pulled one back. The home crowd went mad and were hopeful of a miraculous comeback. But that was not to be, at least not today. Struggling to cope with a rejuvenated Newcastle side, City soon eased back into the game, controlling the possession and making good movements. The game seemed pretty much in balance, for either side could have scored in the remaining half-an hour.

As the game progressed, the scoreline seemed to have frozen with both sides playing good football, especially Newcastle. But again, it was City who scored in the 78th minute to put the result beyond doubt. Yaya Toure deflected in a Zabaleta header at the end of a David Silva cross to put the game almost out of reach for the Toons. And it really broke them down and City consolidated their position in the table.