Manchester City clashed heads with Newcastle United at St. James’ Park earlier today as they hoped to secure maximum points on the road. Pep Guardiola’s men made an incredible start to the game and got their noses ahead in the fifth minute courtesy of Ruben Dias’ header following a mix-up in the Newcastle defence. Joao Cancelo doubled Man City’s advantage in the 27th minute when he scored with an excellent strike. The Mancunian giants went into the half-time break 2-0 up on the scoreline.
Riyad Mahrez made the points secure for the visitors when he found the back of the net with a great volley after the hour mark. Raheem Sterling put the icing on the cake for his team when he got his name on the scoresheet with a tidy finish in the 86th minute. The contest ended with Man City securing a dominant 4-0 win which consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League table.
Let’s take a look at how each Man City player performed during the match against the Magpies.
GK: Ederson – 7/19
The Brazilian keeper had to make just one save in the game and earned an easy clean sheet away from home.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 9/10
The Portuguese full-back scored the goal of the game with an excellent finish in the 27th minute. He ended the game with an assist to his name as well.
CB: Ruben Dias – 7.5/10
The Man City centre-half cleared his lines when needed and gave Man City the all-important lead in the fifth minute.
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 7/10
Laporte got stuck in with some solid tackles and did enough work defensively to restrict the opposition from scoring during the 90 minutes.
The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency:
Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/)
Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/)
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko – 8/10
The Swedish left-back performed his defensive duties well and even picked up an assist for setting up Mahrez’s goal.
CM: Rodri – 7/10
He anchored the midfield quite well but offered very little in the final third. He got replaced in the 67th minute.
CM: Bernardo Silva – 8/10
The Portugal international worked hard defensively and managed to create a few decent chances for his teammates to score.
RW: Riyad Mahrez – 8.5/10
The Algerian wing wizard found the back of the net with a great volley in the second half and has also got an assist to show for his efforts.
CAM: Kevin De Bruyne – 7.5/10
De Bruyne engineered a few inviting opportunities for others around him and made two clever runs with the ball in the Newcastle half.
LW: Raheem Sterling – 7.5/10
He caused a few problems for the opposition centre-backs and even managed to score a late goal to cap off a fine win for Man City.
Substitutes:
CM: Fernandinho – 6/10
Fernandinho added some bite and steel to Guardiola’s midfield.
CB: John Stones – 6/10
He managed to help his team get over the line with the clean sheet intact.
CM: Cole Palmer – 6/10
Palmer struggled to get into the flow of the game.
