V IT, PEP!
Ys ‘City have verpool’ NEWCASTLE MAN CITY 3 ............. Shots on Target...........9 3 ............. Shots off Target...........8 0 ............... Blocked Shots ............ 7 1 ...................... Corners................. 10 4 ......................
three games and I’ve been very pleased with him and the way he has responded to what we’ve asked of him.
“Whose goal was better – his or De Bruyne’s? I’ll let you decide.”
Newcastle’s strategy was all about utilising the pace of Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximum’s ball wizardry.
On one occasion before halftime, he set off from just outside his own box and by the time the move petered out, he had run over 60 yards and beaten three opponents.
These twin weapons meant the Magpies were always dangerous on the counter, though Willems’ second goal of the season showed up City’s defensive deficiencies.
He was allowed far too much time to control Almiron’s pass inside, before hammering a low drive past Ederson.
City had broken the deadlock with a goal that combined good fortune and artistry. Two ricochets favoured the attacking side, but there was no doubting the deftness of David Silva’s flick nor the technique in Sterling’s finish as Guardiola’s men scored for the 18th away game in a row.
It should have provided a winning platform, but Newcastle are a tough nut on home soil these days and they were never intimidated by City’s pretty patterns.
They still had to defend stoutly, while the away side will rue several chances which got away.
In the 68th minute, Dubravka did brilliantly to foil both Gabriel
Jesus and De Bruyne at point-blank range, while, moments after coming off the bench,
Bernardo Silva dragged a shot wide.
Then at the death,
De Bruyne dropped the ball at the feet of Sterling, but the
Toon keeper was down quickly to thwart him.