Manchester City marked their first home game as treble winners, with an impressive 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.
It was a match where the hosts’ dominance didn’t result in a plethora of chances, but it was an excellent team display from City. Julian Alvarez, who played as an attacking midfielder in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, netted the only goal of the game in the first game.
Before the game, City displayed the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies on the Etihad pitch, along with a huge 'treble winners' banner. When the action got under way, City were superb and shifted the ball effortlessly in the early stages, with Newcastle struggling to maintain any sort of possession. Yet for all their dominance, up until the opener after 31 minutes, the hosts’ best chance had come via a Manuel Akanji shot that flew over from the edge of the box.
When the goal finally came it was through a typically fluid City move, which ended with Phil Foden flicking the ball to Alvarez inside the box, with the Argentinian then expertly bending into the far corner to give Pep Guardiola’s side a well-deserved advantage.
Erling Haaland nearly made it 2-0 when he was fed the ball and fired at goal, but he it flashed the attempt wide. After the break, Haaland had three similar chances, two that produced stops from Nick Pope and another that flew just off target.
Newcastle barely mustered anything of note during the encounter, but Bruno Guimaraes did drag a shot wide midway through the second period before Harvey Barnes tested Ederson from distance on 70 minutes, but it was a comfortable save for the City goalkeeper.
As the game moved into the latter stages the Blues continued to carry a threat on the break as Newcastle searched for a winner. In the 90th minute Phil Foden fizzed a shot just wide, moments before five minutes of injury time was held up, although nothing of note happened in additional time.
Here’s how we rated the City players…
1. Ederson- 7
The goalkeeper's kicking, especially long to Haaland, was outstanding. Ederson had very little to deal with in terms of saves.
2. Kyle Walker- 8
Played in a much more advanced role and impressed. The full-back was a constant option on the right flank and produced some penetrative runs.
3. Ruben Dias- 7
Solid at the back and was rarely flustered.
4. Manuel Akanji- 7
Played well pushing into midfield from defence. Akajni played a huge role in City’s control through the middle, and also barely put a foot wrong defensively.