Manchester Metropolis cruised to their second victory of the season due to a shocking Julian Alvarez strike, incomes a deserved 1-0 win over Newcastle.
Two of the Premier League’s massive winners on opening weekend squared off at a jubilant Etihad Stadium, however there was no signal of the Newcastle that put 5 previous Aston Villa, with Pep Guardiola’s aspect outclassing their guests in nearly each division.
Newcastle have not received in 18 league visits to Metropolis’s Manchester house – which handled followers to a treble celebration pre-match, full with a trio of trophies and rousing fireworks, earlier than Alvarez set to work dismantling the most recent aspect to fall sufferer of Metropolis’s imperious house file.
Phil Foden was majestic in possession, utilizing a no-look go to tee up Alvarez’s smasher within the thirty first minute, which by some means ended up being the one breakthrough of a recreation plagued by probabilities for Erling Haaland – though solely half of the ahead’s 4 efforts hit the goal.
Newcastle improved after the break however have been powerless to forestall the newly-crowned Tremendous Cup champions from extending their spectacular run to 17 straight house wins, as they transfer joint high of the Premier League standings with Brighton.
“That is the second recreation of the season however it’s proof of the rationale why we received loads,” Guardiola mirrored, “the mindset and mentality of this group of gamers amazes me each time.”
How Metropolis overpowered Newcastle
Julian Alvarez scored his first aim of the brand new season
Newcastle, buoyed by final week’s Villa rout, had travelled the 145 miles south in hope of claiming their first league win at Metropolis for nearly 23 years. Hopes have been finally in useless.
Guardiola’s aspect, maybe slightly fatigued from midweek exploits in Athens, weren’t at their fluid greatest all through, however produced an expert efficiency to observe up final week’s Burnley success, with ahead pairing Alvarez and Foden the brightest gamers on the pitch.
Metropolis started to pressurise halfway via the primary half and threatened for the primary time when Manuel Akanji curled a long-range try over, earlier than Haaland failed to attach with Alvarez’s low cross.
Julian Alvarez celebrates with team-mate Phil Foden after scoring Man Metropolis’s winner
Having stepped into the playmaker position vacated by long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne, Foden then started dictating centrally, creating seven probabilities from open play general – his competitors greatest, 131 appearances in.
“I take pleasure in taking part in in there, hopefully sooner or later I can decide up extra video games there and present individuals what I can do,” Foden mentioned post-match. “The supervisor spoke to me just a few occasions, he mentioned to stay affected person, you will get your alternative.”
The No 47 was predictably on the coronary heart of the sport’s solely opening, wriggling into area earlier than pulling a intelligent reverse go in direction of Alvarez, who arrowed into Nick Pope’s high proper. Foden then slipped Haaland in on aim however the Norwegian’s low shot dragged huge of the far put up.
Erling Haaland solely managed to steer two of his 4 pictures on track
Metropolis’s failure to kill the match allowed Newcastle the possibility to get again into it as the sport turned extra stretched late on, however neither Miguel Almiron nor Harvey Barnes had the specified impact, with the latter registering Newcastle’s solely shot on track – which Ederson caught comfortably.
Ultimately, Alvarez’s strike was sufficient and Metropolis, who started the night parading final season’s silverware, may have a good time one other job properly achieved.
Pep explains sub interplay with fan
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Pep Guardiola had a humorous trade with a Manchester Metropolis fan who had questioned the Metropolis boss as to why he had not made any substitutions towards Newcastle
A Manchester Metropolis fan bought an sudden provide of an opportunity to teach the group from Guardiola after the Spaniard didn’t make any substitutions within the victory.
“He (the fan) mentioned to me ‘Make a sub’. I mentioned come sit right here and do it. The sport was in a very good tempo, a very good rhythm,” Guardiola informed TNT Sports activities.
“I did not see the gamers too drained. It wasn’t simple to make the adjustments so I did not do it.”
Talking about Foden’s efficiency, Guardiola mentioned: “Phil is a actuality as a participant, he can play many positions.
“He’s an actual menace. I’m actually happy. The way in which he behaves with everybody. The mentality is all the time there. That’s an important factor.”
Howe: ‘Elite’ Metropolis too good
Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe talking on TNT Sports activities:
“Robust recreation. As we knew it might be. They’re an elite group. We tried our greatest to execute our plan, press excessive, and make it troublesome for them. However they did properly towards that.
“When the moments got here for us we weren’t scientific sufficient. I do not keep in mind an excessive amount of in regards to the opening of their aim, I keep in mind the ultimate motion – that is one for me to analyse.
“The second-half exhibiting was significantly better. Health clever we seemed good, however we have been technically off right this moment, and that is the place we misplaced the sport. We turned the ball over fairly a bit.
“I nonetheless thought we defended properly. You’ll be able to go considered one of two methods right here, you both sit in, or attempt to get after them and we went for the latter. We needed to be ourselves however we did not fairly execute that.”
Opta: Newcastle falter, Metropolis solely want 11
- Newcastle recorded only one shot on track on the Etihad Stadium; their joint-fewest in a Premier League recreation beneath Eddie Howe.
- Manchester Metropolis did not make any substitutions in a Premier League recreation for the primary time since Might 2022, whereas it was simply the sixth time in 268 league video games that Pep Guardiola hasn’t made any adjustments.
- Julian Alvarez has been instantly concerned in 20 targets in his 26 begins throughout all competitions for Manchester Metropolis, scoring 15 and offering 5 assists.
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What’s next?
Manchester Metropolis’s subsequent recreation is away to Sheffield United within the Premier League on Sunday August 27, stay on Sky Sports activities – kick-off 2pm.
Sunday twenty seventh August 1:00pm
Kick off 2:00pm
Pep Guardiola’s aspect then host Fulham on Saturday September 2 – kick-off 3pm.
Newcastle are subsequent in motion on Sunday August 27 once they host Liverpool within the Premier League, stay on Sky Sports activities – kick-off 4.30pm.
Sunday twenty seventh August 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
The Magpies then journey to Brighton on Saturday September 2, stay on Sky Sports activities – kick-off 5.30pm.