Manchester City vs Newcastle United Player Ratings

 

England - Premier League

 

Manchester City

4 vs 0

Newcastle United

Played
August 19, 2013 8:00 PM WAT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ A. Marriner‎
Attendance:‬ 46842‎

 

6′ David Silva

 

22′ Sergio Agüero

 

50′ Yaya Touré

 

75′ Samir Nasri

  

Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle United

The Manuel Pellegrini era began in style as goals from David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri helped sweep aside the 10-man visitors, who were in disarray

By Wayne Veysey at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City

3.32

• 
  20

  3

  Joe Hart

  A cigar and slippers evening for the England No1, who had a ringside seat for the City masterclass.
• 
  34

  4

  Vincent Kompany

  A reminder of the commanding performer of the title-winning season. His best moment came when he broke up a Newcastle attack and then launched the counter-attack that led to City's second goal. Subbed as a precaution with 20 minutes left after picking up a knock.
• 
  28

  1

  Pablo Zabaleta

  On the day he committed his future to the club by signing a new four-year deal, the Argentine showed why he is so popular in these parts by attacking and defending with complete authority and poise.
• 
  22

  1

  Joleon Lescott

  A relatively gentle assignment for the recalled centre-back but looked in control and did enough to suggest Nastasic will have to fight for his place when he returns to fitness.
• 
  19

  2

  Gael Clichy

  Kept fellow Frenchman Ben Arfa quiet and surged forward at every opportunity. Could have scored a rare goal when picked out in box by Navas in the second half.
• 
  39

  6

  Jesús Navas González

  Had a mixed first half when he was given licence to roam but looked far more at home in the second when he hugged the right flank and delivered a stream of inviting crosses.
• 
  31

  6

  David Silva

  Got the Pellegrini era off to a flyer with his predatory 6th-minute header. Involved in most of City's attacks without quite being at his best. Withdrawn with 10 minutes left.
• 
  40

  14

  Fernandinho Top of the Match

  Touch, technique and tackles. What a debut from City's £30m summer signing, whose central midfield partnership with Toure looks hugely promising.
• 
  45

  2

  Yaya Touré

  Is there nothing he cannot do? Displayed yet another string to his extensive bow by marking his 100th Premier League appearance with an unstoppable, curling free kick.
• 
  64

  7

  Edin Dzeko

  Has a silky touch to complement his more earthy qualities and showed why he is far much more than a targetman by picking out Silva for the opener and then deftly setting up Aguero for the second.
• 
  40

  6

  Sergio Agüero

  Banished the memories of a sticky second season at City with a majestically taken goal from a difficult angle and a display full of the vim that was often lacking in 2012-13. Subbed at the hour mark.

Substitutions

• 
  24

  3

  Samir Nasri

  Took the fourth goal with aplomb in a bright half-hour cameo.
• 
  14

  8

  Javi García

  Capably filled in at centre-back for the last 20 minutes after replacing the injured Kompany.
• 
  23

  5

  Negredo

  Unlucky not to score on debut after wrongly having a goal ruled out for off-side during his 10-minute cameo.

Newcastle United

2.38

• 
  15

  4

  Tim Krul

  Question marks about his positioning for Aguero's goal but made amends with an acrobatic save to keep out Dzeko's second-half header. Given little protection by Newcastle's under-fire back four.
• 
  3

  11

  Ryan Taylor

  Could have given away a penalty for handball, but was quickly dismissed for clotheslining Aguero in the back of the head right in front of the referee.
• 
  3

  7

  Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

  Had a difficult assignment as a makeshift left-back before moving across to central defence following Taylor's red card.
• 
  3

  6

  Mathieu Debuchy

  Stood out not only for his heavily tatooed left arm but also some clumsy defending. Fortunate not to concede an early penalty when he brought Toure down in the box.
• 
  3

  3

  Fabricio Coloccini

  The best of Newcastle's defenders but that was not saying much. Struggled with the A-list combination of Aguero's elusiveness and Dzeko's power.
• 
  4

  3

  Moussa Sissoko

  Reduced to a trouble-shooting role, which did not make the most of his counter-attacking qualities.
• 
  4

  4

  Cheikh Tiote

  Got stuck in and made some important interceptions but needed more help from his colleagues.
• 
  1

  4

  Jonas Gutierrez

  Looked uncomfortable in central midfield before limping off with injury at the end of the first half.
• 
  2

  8

  Hatem Ben Arfa

  Hauled off after an anonymous 64 minutes.
• 
  2

  4

  Yoan Gouffran

  Had looked reasonably bright in a central role before being sacrificed at the end of the first half following Taylor's dismissal.
• 
  1

  10

  Papiss Cissé

  Combined on a few occasions with Gouffran early on, but lacked the velvet touch required to hold the ball up when Newcastle were reduced to 10 men.

Substitutions

• 
  5

  1

  Paul Dummett

  Did a reasonable job at left-back
• 
  1

  2

  Vurnon Anita

  Replaced Gutierrez shortly before the break but unable to disrupt City's rhythm.
• 
  3

  3

  Sammy Ameobi

  Struggled to get involved after being brought on to add some muscle to the attack. ---------------------- goal.com