The Magpies did not look at it from the word go and would go on to pay the ultimate price against an angry Man City side
Newcastle United stars were warned to improve after a first half horror show at the Etihad Stadium with Eddie Howe following through on a vow to get tough with his big names.
Indeed, the head coach did not mess about at both the interval when subbing Kieran Trippier and Joe Willock before skipper Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon were also withdrawn long before the end. This was a wake up call – and none of the senior stars should need to be told that.
It left the City faithful, who have endured a tough season by their ridiculously high standards, singing: “Can we play you every week?” But the damage caused by this bruising result was there for all to see as Newcastle slipped to seventh spot and away from Champions League contention.
On an afternoon that many felt would be a big opportunity to end 25 years of hurt in this fixture, one United last won in the Premier League in the year 2000, his team simply did not get going. They began the game cautiously standing off and while the Citizens have struggled this season – even when ahead in games – here they were offered encouragement to come and attack.
Given the problems City have endured they were never going to turn it down and the truth is Newcastle were fortunate that this scoreline was not even heavier. True, while Newcastle have been forced into a corner in terms of PSR, City were able to go out and spend in January.
And the difference maker today was certainly £59million man Omar Marmoush. In fact, Newcastle could not live with him.
But that should still not be an excuse with the workaholic levels shown in recent weeks against Arsenal nowhere to be seen.
The opening 10 minutes saw Man City enjoy a whopping 90% possession but neither side were able to create a clear-cut chance. The first real bit of danger erupted on 12 minutes when Savinho sped past Sandro Tonali and worked his way into the box with Lewis Hall in hot pursuit but the former Chelsea man did enough to stamp out the attack.
City – operating with a 4-2-3-1 formation – had another glimpse of goal when Omar Marmoush was sent free in the box but scooped his shot over the bar with 16 minutes gone. Man City’s £59million man did not waste his next chance though.
Newcastle’s defence stepped up the pitch on 18 minutes with Ederson casually launching a pass to Marmoush, signed from Frankfurt last month, to run on and calmly lob it over the top.
And with the Newcastle’s defence ball watching it bounced over Kieran Trippier before it sailed over Martin Dubravka’s head following the Egypt star’s effort from 18-yards.
The Magpies slipped 2-0 down six minutes later when Marmoush helped himself to a second. This time Ilkay Gundogan pinged a pass into the box for Marmoush before he turned Trippier and slammed it past Dubravka from just inside the box.
If Man City’s confidence was supposed to be frail, you could not see it in the opening stages and it took a Dan Burn clearance near the line to deny Erling Haaland, almost putting the game beyond reach.
Newcastle’s first real chance arrived on 29 minutes as Alexander Isak was played in but his effort was deflected wide. But Marmoush grabbed his hat-trick before the break after United switched off once again.
Savinho caused the damage on the right with 33 minutes played as he beat Lewis Hall and found Marmoush who secured a 14-minute treble and his first career hat-trick. With Newcastle looking shell-shocked, Howe made two changes at half-time with Trippier and Willock taken off for Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento.
Bruno Guimaraes picked up a yellow card five minutes into the second half for a foul on Savinho. It was a course of action that should have happened much earlier with Savinho running the game on the right.
Newcastle finally produced a shot on target on the hour mark as Miley fired an effort at Ederson with the Brazil international saving well. Howe then got tough with his big names when taking off Gordon and Bruno with 18 minutes left.
Bruno did not look himself and struggled to keep pace in an intense midfield battle while Gordon did not look fully fit. Marmoush went off to a standing ovation before the end along with England star Phil Foden.
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