City back to winning ways

Even before the game, it seemed clear how Rafa Benitez would set his team up. The starting XI showed 5 at the back, though for long periods of the game most of his side were pressed back deep into their own half. Meanwhile, there was one surprise in Manchester City's team sheet - last season's Young Player of the Year Leroy Sane was left out of the squad all together, though we are yet to hear if that is due to an injury or a decision by Pep Guardiola himself. 

The home team bossed possession from the get-go. Lining up in a 4-4-2 style formation, it seemed Guardiola's plan was to get the ball over to the wings for Sterling and Mahrez to cut inside, while Mendy and Walker would act as overlapping full-backs. Mahrez lofted several crosses into the area to no avail, but the tactic soon paid off on the left flank as Mendy combined with Sterling, with the latter cutting inside to curl a fantastic effort beyond 'Magpies' goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from 15 yards. 

The quick start, at first, seemed as if it would open the floodgates for Manchester City, but Dubravka and his defence performed wonders to limit what had become a front-four in attack for the 'Citizens'. Sergio Aguero and Riyad Mahrez both tried their luck from distance, before Jesus went close following an excellent piece of skill to cut back inside on the end of an Aguero through-ball - the Brazilian could only muster a tame shot which was easily gathered by Dubravka. 

Newcastle then took the Etihad by surprise as they scored a breakaway goal on the 30-minute mark. Perez found himself on the left flank before crossing for DeAndre Yedlin, who stormed in at the back post before hammering past Ederson. Pep Guardiola will be asking questions on his defence's positioning for the goal, with Benjamin Mendy nowhere to be seen tracking Yedlin. 

City pushed and pushed to get themselves back in front, though it was the final ball that seemed to be letting them down. Sterling was not having much luck down the left-hand side due to him being hacked down by Yedlin on several occasions, while a David Silva cutback was not met by any of Pep Guardiola's forwards. 

They continued to dominate possession at the start of the second half, and finally made it count. Aguero laid the ball off for Kyle Walker to hammer home from 30 yards into the bottom corner past Dubravka - an unlikely source for such an impressive strike. 

With Newcastle pouring forward in search of an equaliser, City were able to play on the counter-attack. Chances flew in the direction of Gabriel Jesus - who did have the ball in the net only to see a linesman's flag raised - and to Raheem Sterling. Slovakian goalkeeper Martin Dubravka made an outstanding triple save from David Silva and Fernandinho, saving his side from a heavier defeat. 

Late on in the game we saw Vincent Kompany come on to a standing ovation from the crowd, after this week he marked ten years with the 'Citizens', which slowed down the pace of the game and allowed City to ensure the three points. 

Manchester City go back up to third in the table, while Newcastle find themselves in the relegation zone, still lacking a victory this season. 

 

1 de septiembre de 2018