The Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City era got off to the perfect start on Monday as they beat ten-man Newcastle United 4-0.
With title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea both winning over the weekend, it was essential for the former Malaga boss Pellegrini to keep pace at the top.
Fernandinho and Jesus Navas were the only two summer signings to start but City wasted little time in showing their ambition for the new campaign. Edin Dzeko forced a fine early save from Tim Krul after being picked out by a cross from Pablo Zabaleta.
And after just six minutes City moved in front when a forceful run from Dzeko ended with the Bosnian’s cross kicking up off Taylor and Silva guided a header into the corner of the net. Dzeko missed with a low cross-shot soon after but City moved two ahead before the mid-point of the first half.
Navas’ pass was flicked on by Dzeko and Aguero burst through, making enough space around Taylor to squeeze a low shot past Krul. City were able to pull their visitors open at will and Dzeko was unlucky not to get a toe on the end of a Navas free-kick.
Hatem Ben Arfa provided Newcastle’s only flicker of creativity and the France winger drove a bending effort wide of goal. Yet Newcastle’s hopes were effectively finished when Taylor was shown a straight red card for catching Aguero with his arm.
Krul did well to keep the deficit at two goals when he swatted away a header from Dzeko after the Bosnian was picked out by a fine cross from Aguero shortly after half-time. But seconds later City did extend their lead when Côte d’Ivoire midfielder Toure bent a free-kick into the top corner from just outside the area.
Krul pulled off another impressive stop when he pushed a powerful Dzeko effort past the post just after the hour and the striker also turned a header wide from Silva’s corner. Nasri added the fourth when he reacted quicker than Mathieu Debuchy to a Zabaleta pass and guided a shot past Krul.
New striker Alvaro Negredo came off the bench in the closing stages and after Krul pushed away Dzeko’s header, the Spaniard had an opportunity for his first goal with his new club, but it was ruled out for offside.
