Man City vs Newcastle, Highlights; Premier League 2023: City eke out a 1-0 win over Newcastle
MCI vs NEW: Sportstar’s highlights of the 2023 Premier League game between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Ettihad Stadium.
UK (SKY SPORTS)- Match report and free highlights as Julian Alvarez struck a first-half winner to earn Man City their second victory of the season, capping off an evening of celebration of last season’s treble at the Etihad; masterful Phil Foden teed up the Argentine with a clever no-look pass
Manchester City cruised to their second victory of the season thanks to a stunning Julian Alvarez strike, earning a deserved 1-0 win over Newcastle.
Two of the Premier League’s big winners on opening weekend squared off at a jubilant Etihad Stadium, but there was no sign of the Newcastle that put five past Aston Villa, with Pep Guardiola’s side outclassing their visitors in almost every department.
Newcastle haven’t won in 18 league visits to City’s Manchester home – which treated fans to a treble celebration pre-match, complete with a trio of trophies and rousing fireworks, before Alvarez got to work dismantling the latest side to fall victim of City’s imperious home record.
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Phil Foden was majestic in possession, using a no-look pass to tee up Alvarez’s smasher in the 31st minute, which somehow ended up being the only breakthrough of a game littered with chances for Erling Haaland – although only half of the forward’s four efforts hit the target.
Newcastle improved after the break but were powerless to prevent the newly-crowned Super Cup champions from extending their impressive run to 17 straight home wins, as they move joint top of the Premier League standings with Brighton.
“This is the second game of the season but it is proof of the reason why we won a lot,” Guardiola reflected, “the mindset and mentality of this group of players amazes me every time.”
How City overpowered Newcastle
Newcastle, buoyed by last week’s Villa rout, had travelled the 145 miles south in hope of claiming their first league win at City for almost 23 years. Hopes were ultimately in vain.
Guardiola’s side, perhaps a little fatigued from midweek exploits in Athens, weren’t at their fluid best throughout, but produced a professional performance to follow up last week’s Burnley success, with forward pairing Alvarez and Foden the brightest players on the pitch.
City began to pressurise midway through the first half and threatened for the first time when Manuel Akanji curled a long-range attempt over, before Haaland failed to connect with Alvarez’s low cross.
Having stepped into the playmaker role vacated by long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne, Foden then began dictating centrally, creating seven chances from open play overall – his competition best, 131 appearances in.
“I enjoy playing in there, hopefully in the future I can pick up more games there and show people what I can do,” Foden said post-match. “The manager spoke to me a few times, he said to remain patient, you’ll get your opportunity.”
The No 47 was predictably at the heart of the game’s only opening, wriggling into space before pulling a clever reverse pass towards Alvarez, who arrowed into Nick Pope’s top right. Foden then slipped Haaland in on goal but the Norwegian’s low shot dragged wide of the far post.
City’s failure to kill the match allowed Newcastle the chance to get back into it as the game became more stretched late on, but neither Miguel Almiron nor Harvey Barnes had the desired effect, with the latter registering Newcastle’s only shot on target – which Ederson caught comfortably.
In the end, Alvarez’s strike was enough and City, who began the evening parading last season’s silverware, could celebrate another job well done.
On show for all to see! 🏆🤩#ManCity pic.twitter.com/WFt2VoerFj
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 19, 2023
By Laura Hunter
