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- Julian Alvarez’s sublime effort was the only goal of the encounter but the score line flatters Newcastle United.
- Pep Guardiola’s midfield hugely superior to their opponents with Phil Foden running the show.
- Manchester City extend their imperious form and haven’t conceded in two Premier League games, while Newcastle now have one win and loss apiece.
Manchester City Player Ratings: Phil Foden is the standout performer
Contents
Ederson 7/10 – Little to do, though stayed alert. Unbelievable with his feet but that’s not unusual.
Kyle Walker 8/10 – Hugged the touchline to keep width. Used his speed to be an outlet and was brilliant with his passing choice.
Manuel Akanji 8/10 – Played the ‘John Stones’ role. And pretty perfectly, too. I’d love to see his heat map.
Ruben Dias 8.5/10 – A typically strong performance.
Josko Gvardiol 8.5/10 – Proved why signing one of the best young talents in the world in a sure-fire way of making your defence better.
Rodri 8.5/10 – Often operated as middle centre-back in possession. One step ahead of his opposing numbers.
Mateo Kovacic 8/10 – Great line-breaking carrying and looks like he’s been at the club for years.
Phil Foden 9/10 – Dangerous in the pocket. Looked to drive with the ball but also create with his pitch-perfect passing in the final third. Also got an assist.
Julian Alvarez 8/10 – Bagged the opener and filled the De Bruyne-shaped void well. Magic is the word I’m looking for.
Jack Grealish 6/10 – Mirrored Walker on the opposite flank but was less busy than his counterpart.
Erling Haaland 5/10 – Little involvement but that’s textbook Haaland. Struggled with his shooting.
Substitutes
N/A
Newcastle United Player Ratings: Eddie Howe’s side no match for the treble winners
Nick Pope 5/10 – Couldn’t equal Alvarez’s sublime strike, but not many could.
Kieran Trippier 7/10 – Restricted Grealish to little joy and was Newcastle’s brightest player with his typically brilliant deliveries.
Fabian Schar 6/10 – Superbly disciplined and kept Haaland quiet. Awfully underrated and works well with Botman.
Sven Botman 6/10 – Defended well and was physically imposing.
Dan Burn 6/10 – Tasked with containing Walker and did relatively well. Not a performance that’ll blow your socks off, mind.
Joelinton 5/10 – Not as attack-minded as usual. Picked up an injury and was taken off.
Bruno Guimaraes 5.5/10 – The busiest and brightest of the Newcastle midfield trio. Still found it hard to match the intensity of the game and was often found chasing shadows.
Sandro Tonali 5/10 – Couldn’t emulate his Villa showing. Struggled and was taken off just after an hour of play.
Anthony Gordon 5/10 – Picked up a needless yellow. Too reckless in challenges and was hooked on 55 minutes.
Alexander Isak 5.5/10 – Magnificent dribbling on show but found it tough to get service or create that bit of magic. Not his finest night.
Miguel Almiron 5/10 – His physicality let him down. An evening to forget and move on from. Quickly.
Substitutes
Harvey Barnes 5/10 – Almost immediate yellow.
Sean Longstaff 4/10 – Struggled.
Callum Wilson 5/10 – Decision making could have been better.
Elliot Anderson 6/10 – Was a bright introduction.
Tino Livramento 3/10 – Made his debut.
YESSSSS JULI! 🕷
🔵 1-0 ⚫️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/l0zJSIyWwo
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 19, 2023
Manchester City vs Newcastle United Match Summary and Highlights
As expected, Pep Guardiola’s begun proceedings dictating things at their tempo, though it largely came to nothing given Newcastle’s defensive structure was so astute.
City’s dominance of possession eventually paid off, breaking Newcastle’s resistance with a fine pass from Mateo Kovacic to Phil Foden, who teed up Alvarez. The Argentine took it upon himself to fire one towards Nick Pope, who could only get the finest of fingertips to it.
Erling Haaland then came eerily close just five minutes shy of the break as Ederson – of all people – set Alvarez in, who they found Foden. A quick through ball to the talismanic centre-forward was then played but the inevitable didn’t come off.
The visitor’s best chance came in the added minutes, but Anthony Gordon seemed to be stuck in two minds, which meant City headed into the interval with the lion’s share of possession and the lead. Newcastle came out of the tunnel much brighter, though still struggled to create a gilt-edged chance to change their fortunes.
As the time trickled closer to the 90 minutes, Howe utilised the five substitution rule and brought on fresh legs but to no avail. The newfound partnerships at the back and midfield from the Manchester-based outfit reigned superior on this occasionphilphil foden.
Player of the Match: Phil Foden
Phil Foden was a creative monster all game and was the driving force in much of City’s attacks, while he dabbled in coming deep as we eager for the ball. Operating from the central hub, his energetic approach allowed Grealish and Walker to stay wide.
Everything was brilliant. He had one assist, but that tally could have been a lot higher if Haaland and co. could find the back of the net. The choice to award him with tonight’s Player of the Match gong was quite an easy one in all fairness
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