Manchester City left nobody guessing. In a comprehensive 4-0 win against Newcastle, Pep Guardiola's men brushed the Magpies aside at the Etihad Stadium in the 25th matchday of the Premier League. The player of the day was Omar Marmoush, whose first-half hat trick sent the match away before the half-time interval. James McAtee put the match out of Newcastle's reach in the second half, giving Manchester City a statement win that puts the Citizens firmly in the championship running.
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Omar Marmoush and an Etihad match to forget
If anyone was expecting a closely contested match, City quickly shattered that illusion. In the 18th minute, Ederson played a sumptuous long ball that landed on Marmoush who was able to lose his marker and chip goalkeeper Dúbravka with ease. That was just the beginning.
Egyptian doubled the lead in the 23rd minute. Gündogan played in before picking out Marmoush, whose shot glided home easily over Dúbravka for the second time. It took only five minutes before Savinho beat the right, turning and curling a cut back across his defenders that was left invitingly at the feet of Marmoush, finishing his treble with ease.
Etihad was dominating in the first half. Newcastle had a glimpse of hope when Isak beat Stones and Ederson with a threatening shot, but it was deflected out for a corner. Other than that, the visitors were not given any chance to breathe.
Complete domination and Ederson's record-breaking assist
While the first half was one of City's firepower, the second half was one of control. Guardiola's team dialed the pace back, taking Newcastle at arm's length yet still crafting opportunities. Phil Foden almost finished off another one with a 56th-minute header, and Ederson had his first serious save in the 58th, blocking one from Lewis Miley.
But history was made. Ederson's assist for Marmoush's first goal made the Brazilian the leading Premier League keeper for assists. He has six now since arriving at City in 2017, above Paul Robinson.
City chase Liverpool
The win took Manchester City to 44 points, putting them fourth and making them one of the league leaders fighting for the championship. Newcastle dropped down to seventh, keeping their Champions League hopes further away than ever.
Beyond the points, this result makes a grand statement. Deflated by a tricky midweek loss to Real Madrid, Guardiola needed a response, and his side responded in swashbuckling fashion. Overwhelming, controlled, and clinical in front of goal, City proved again why they are a team built for success.