Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle: 3 things we learned

As expected, City came away with all three points after facing Newcastle at home. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for them. Here are three key points from the match.

Manchester City were nowhere close to their fluent best that we have been accustomed to in the Premier League, but they did get the win against Newcastle on Saturday. Here are 3 key takeaways from the game

City nowhere close to their best

The start of the season has been a mixed bag for City. Veteran City players Sergio Aguero and David Silva look sharp and aggressive; Benjamin Mendy is a force to be reckon with; Bernardo Silva has shown exactly why so much money was paid for him; and Sterling has been on fire.

And yet, there’s plenty they have to work on. City haven’t been at their best for two games now; away at Wolves where they drew, and on Saturday against Newcastle.

They went into this match knowing they needed to win it after both Liverpool and Chelsea won theirs. They managed to get the win in front of their fans, but the lack of fluidity will be a major concern for Pep Guardiola, who cut a very frustrated figure on the touchline.

Newcastle scored in their only chance of the game, but it was the City players fault. They fell asleep at the back to allow DeAndre Yedlin in, and if that were to happen against better quality opposition, they will continue to be punished.

City came out in the second half with fire in their bellies, and they should have had more goals, and they didn’t create nearly as many chances as they normally do. Fans will be happy they got the win, but can expect a lot more from this City squad.

What is up with Leroy Sane?

The big absentee on the bench for City against Newcastle was Leroy Sane.

Sane was also dropped by Germany head coach Joachim Low for the World Cup, and many questions were asked about this decision when Germany failed to make it past a very winnable group.

Sane, who is incredibly gifted, has the pace and direct running that is a threat to opposition defences on a regular basis. Why then, has he not started a single game for City this season?

There were rumours that Sane’s attitude was a concern for Guardiola, and was the reason he was dropped against Newcastle. Guardiola has since squashed these rumours with a very open “no” when asked if he had a problem with Sane.

But what else would you expect from a manager?

It’s clear that things aren’t all right with Sane, and that he really has to shape up, because his attacking talents would have been extremely useful against a team like Newcastle.

Newcastle are doomed (probably)

Rafa Benitez pulled off a near miracle last year by taking Newcastle to a 10th place finish. It led to a stack of cash for club owner Mike Ashley to reinvest in the squad. Instead, he parted with it elsewhere, and left Benitez with another near impossible job.

Questions have to be asked about how much longer Benitez fancies this job, because he is a very tactically sound manager who will be in high demand. But even he cannot pull off the impossible on a consistent basis.

Newcastle are poor. They are an awful side to watch, and their lack of quality is everpresent. When Jonjo Shelvey doesn’t play, there’s absolutely no creativity in the side as was on display against City.

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Benitez targeted games last season where Newcastle went after it and got the win, but every one of their closest rivals – Watford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace – have strengthened over the summer, and new boys Fulham and Wolves have made their intentions to stay in the top flight very clear.

The job of staying up this year just got harder, and on the back of this display against City, it’s very likely that they’re going down again.

A club with proud traditions and a powerful history, Newcastle United and its fans deserve better.