“Newcastle can be title contenders” – City boss Guardiola
Fresh off an opening-day win over Burnley and a hard-fought midweek Super Cup triumph over Sevilla, Manchester City face an early test of their title credentials by welcoming Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium this evening.
City were pushed all the way by Sevilla on Wednesday night before eventually winning on penalties but it was additional stress they probably could have done without and Newcastle may sense an opportunity, especially with the injuries City are facing – talisman Kevin De Bruyne set to spend months on the sidelines with a hamstring concern, while the likes of John Stones, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva are all either confirmed out or doubts.
Meanwhile, the Magpies will be full of confidence after brilliantly beating Aston Villa 5-1 on the opening day to suggest that they’re ready to build on last season’s top-four finish. A result at the Etihad would certainly be a statement from Eddie Howe’s men but they might just fancy catching City at an opportune moment, even though they’ll be led in attack by the irrepressible Erling Haaland.
Follow the action from the Premier League match below.
Man City vs Newcastle – Premier League updates
Show latest update
HALF-TIME! Man City 1-0 Newcastle
A solid first half from Man City. They’ve dominated possession and while clear-cut chances haven’t exactly been abundant, they lead through Julian Alvarez’s curled finish.
Work to do for Newcastle after the break.
(EPA)
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:52
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
45+2 mins: Great ball into the box from Trippier out on the right causes consternation in the City defence. Gordon has a bit of space at the back stick but tries to control it, rather than striking the ball first time, allowing City to scramble away.
Gordon has to hit that on the volley there, surely?
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:51
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
45+1 mins: Into three minutes of added time as we drift towards half-time.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:49
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
43 mins: Good work by Walker to start the move, worked out to the left where Grealish gets to the by-line and wins a corner.
Decent ball to the back post where Rodri wins the header but Newcastle clear.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:47
CLOSE! Man City 1-0 Newcastle
41 mins: Oooh, that wasn’t far away from Erling Haaland!
A stunning ball from Ederson out to Alvarez on the left, who drags defenders with him. That creates space in the centre, Haaland gets half a yard in the box and flashes a shot across the face of goal. It’s beyond a diving Pope’s outstretched arm but just inches wide of the right upright. All from a brilliant pass by the goalkeeper.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:45
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
40 mins: Coming towards the end of the first half. City have settled into it well now.
Here’s that Alvarez goal, by the way. Classy finish from the World Cup winner.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:44
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
37 mins: Newcastle won’t panic. That was City’s first shot on target, so they’d done what they set out to in the early going.
They have a free-kick just inside the City half and put the ball into the box. It comes off Almiron and hits Kovacic’s hand but they’re right by his body and it was from point-blank range. VAR has a quick check but says play on – correct call.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:40
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
33 mins: It really was a lovely touch and cutback from Foden for the goal.
The England international is flowing now and strides forward with the ball. Sandro Tonali gets a yellow card as he brings Foden down trying to catch up.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:37
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Newcastle (Julian Alvarez, 31 mins)
And out of nowhere it’s 1-0 to City!
Kovacic fizzes a ball into the feet of Foden, who takes a lovely touch and cuts it back to Julian Alvarez just inside the box. One touch to get it out of his feet and whips it into the far left corner!
Nick Pope got fingertips to it but wasn’t stopping that!
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:35
Man City 0-0 Newcastle
30 mins: The home crowd starting to pick up now. Grealish puts a couple of balls in from the left but dealt with well by the Newcastle defenders so far. Possession in more dangerous areas for City though.
Luke Baker19 August 2023 20:33
