Manchester City vs. Newcastle results: Silva’s strike gives champions full points
Winning the English Premier League requires concentrated effort from game one to game 38, and no one knows that better than Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City side. They’ve won two of the last three EPL championships and after a relatively quite summer were looking to solidify the squad ahead of a championship defense.
More from Premier League
- USMNT news: Balogun to stay, Musah to Milan, Ream wants promotion
- USMNT news: Dest to Fulham, Aaronson joins Union, Gold Cup roundup
- USMNT news: McKennie to Villa, Leeds departures, Sargent goal
- USMNT news: Pulisic to Milan, Musah to Fulham, Pepi to PSV
- USMNT rumors: Balogun to Chelsea, Robinson new contract, Pulisic to Milan
Going on the road to a tricky Newcastle United side was going to be a test for the defending champions, but Manchester City were up to the challenge from the opening kick.
With a summer that saw just two big signings in Fernando (£12 million) and Eliaquim Mangala (£32 million), the defending champions nearly put out the same squad they had most of last season. It showed early on against a Newcastle side that were working in many new faces.
Despite early opportunities, Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krull kept his side in the game. That lasted until the 38th minute, when a great run by David Silva was met with an equally pass by Edin Dzeko, all that was left for the Spanish midfielder to do was slot it passed a committed Krull.
It was 1-0 to the champions, however, Newcastle never sat back or let the visitors just have their way with them following Silva’s goal.
In fact, the Magpies had multiple opportunities throughout the second half as they nearly mastered the counter attack.
Ayoze Perez, one of the eight new signings by Alan Pardew in the offseason, nearly gave the home fans a reason to celebrate in the 84th minute. He took a great shot from the left side of the box, but saw it take a slight deflection and go just inches wide of Joe Hart’s net.
All it appeared to do was wake up the champions though, as Sergio Aguero (who came on in 83rd minute) netted his own brilliant goal from a very difficult angel in to the bottom right corner of the net in the 92nd minute of the match.
Despite the challenge away to Newcastle, and the emotion of honoring two Magpies fans who passed away aboard Flight MH17, it was business as usual for Manchester City in a 2-0 win.