A KYLE DRIVER!
Walker joins the Blues’ party as Pep stars celebrate
MANCHESTER CITY celebrated the 10th anniversary of the day that changed their destiny with a fitting result after a decade of success – a win.
After all, that is what the club has become used to under their Middle East owners.
September 1, 2008 was the date the club was bought by the cash-rich Abu Dhabi United Group – triggering the greatest success in City’s colourful history.
And they cashed in once more against a predictably defence-minded Newcastle, with England’s Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker – with his first for the club – getting the latest match-winning goals.
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez attempted to park the bus, as he usually does when facing up to the Premier League’s big hitters.
But the wheels came off after only eight minutes as his 5-4-1 starting formation was immediately cracked.
The recalled Jamaal Lascelles conceded possession and Benjamin Mendy found Sterling, who cut into the box from the left before rifling home a right-foot shot into the far corner of the net.
It was a nice way for Sterling to celebrate his 100th Premier League appearance for City. He might not be able to score for England, but he certainly can for his club.
That was league goal number 33 for the Blues since his £49million move from
Liverpool.
And boss Pep Guardiola, who axed out-of-form winger Leroy Sane from the match-day squad, should have seen his side score even earlier than that.
Riyad Mahrez cut in from the right after only four minutes but City’s record £60m signing fired wide when he should have hit the target.
Gabriel Jesus also squandered a chance with a poor header from David Silva’s perfect free-kick delivery.
But Newcastle stuck to their guns – and plan – to restrict City as much as possible, then broke out of defence to rock the champions with a 30th-minute equaliser.
Kenedy demonstrated excellent control before finding Salomon Rondon, whose low cross was met by the hard-running DeAndre Yedlin.
The Newcastle full-back rammed the ball home for a superbly worked and executed goal.
City were not at their most fluent in the first half, although a brilliant one-touch passing move ended with Sergio Aguero having a shot blocked.
But it was definitely a night for the right-backs, with Walker restoring City’s lead in the 52nd minute.
Sterling cut in from the left, found Aguero and the City striker set up Walker, who smashed the ball into the corner of the net from 25 yards.
It was his first goal for the club – and the former Spurs defender will not have any problem remembering it.
City then had the ball in the net again five minutes later through Jesus but the Brazilian was offside.
The Blues were more in the groove in the second half and Newcastle survived an incredible bombardment of their goal in the 64th minute.
Fernandinho and David Silva on two occasions were denied by keeper Martin Dubravka and some desperate defending.
Benitez released the defensive shackles 10 minutes from time, when winger Jacob Murphy replaced one of his over-worked centre-backs, Ciaran Clark.
But despite a spirited effort, the change did not bring salvation for the Geordies.
And the last substitution by Guardiola had a touch of sentiment about it, as club captain Vincent Kompany came on 10 years after he joined the successful quest for trophies.
He arrived to see Aguero miss an added-time chance, when he failed to go round Dubravka when in the clear.
It meant Aguero failed to do what he normally does – score against Newcastle.
But failure is a word that you do not associate with City these days.