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Match Reports

Usual Manchester City Result But Does Performance Promise More?

10 years ago
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Newcastle v Manchester City Match Report

Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2  Sunday 17 August 4pm

Not many of us were surprised by the end result, after all we’ve got used to it over recent years against Manchester City.

Even before the oil money poured into the north west, Newcastle had built up an aversion to wins over City, with our old friend Michael Owen scoring the winner the last time we managed it.

This time though, the match was of course only one part of today’s proceedings.

The pre-match tributes to the MH17 plane victims, Liam Sweeney and John Alder, carried out to perfection.

Wreaths laid in the centre circle before an immaculately observed minute’s silence.

The starting eleven saw four signings make their debuts, with Colback, Riviere, Cabella and Janmaat all contributing to varying degrees.

Maybe predictably Emmanuel Riviere had the toughest role as single-handedly he had to try and give Kompany and…company problems up front. He produced a couple of smart turns and runs but the two or three shots he let fly were atrocious.

Getting more of the ball, both Colback and Cabella produced a lot more than the French striker and were arguably United’s two bets players on the day.

Colback was busy, moving the ball about and keeping possession well.

No surprise though to see Remy Cabella as the polar opposite, not that he constantly lost possession but more that he was always prepared to try something a bit different, which against lesser teams you hope will bear much more fruit. His touches and trickery give us all hope for a flair-filled season…if he can escape the clutches of the opposition midfield enforcers.

Janmaat had a steady debut but was always keen to support attacks where possible, he could possibly have tracked back better for the opening goal but that would be very harsh as it was a brilliant Dzeko backheel that opened up the United defence, Silva supplying the cool finish.

That thirty eighth minute goal was just about deserved for City, Newcastle had sat back and defended deeply, although kept the ball relatively well when getting possession.

The only problem with these tactics is that once the opposition score, what is the plan B?

Pardew’s response was to basically keep it the same – some fans would say sensible but others would judge that the intention then is simply to try and ensure United didn’t get an opening day battering.

The second half saw City content to knock the ball about and while Newcastle fashioned the odd promising moment, there was no real threat on Joe Hart’s goal.

Two further debuts came the way of Aarons and Perez from the bench, with Obertan also introduced.

The French winger was his usual dire self as he contributed nothing, while Ayoze Perez almost stole the show.

A great ball by Remy Cabella found Perez and with his shot goal-bound, he saw City’s Fernando get the slightest of touches to send the ball agonisingly wide.

It was then Cabella again who almost created a last gasp equaliser, pulling the ball back only for Sissoko to blaze over from just inside the area.

Insult was added to injury as Manchester City went up the other end and Toure released Aguero whose first effort was well saved by Tim Krul – only for the rebound to fall kindly and the City sub to take his chance at the second attempt.

At the very least some positives to take out and hopefully turn into goals and points at Villa Park in Newcastle’s first away match.

Team: Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett, Colback, Anita (Obertan 63), Sissoko, Gouffran (Aarons 74), Cabella, Riviere (Perez 84)

Unused Subs: Elliot, Haidara, Steven Taylor, Abeid

Ref: Martin Atkinson

Crowd: 50,816 (3,100 City fans)

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