Manchester City show Newcastle class required to be champions

LONDON – Manchester City showed the mentality of champions, said Pep Guardiola after his team laid down an early-season marker in the English Premier League title race by beating Newcastle United 1-0 on Saturday.

Julian Alvarez’s strike secured a club-record 17th straight home victory for the treble winners despite their exertions in lifting the Uefa Super Cup in midweek.

Guardiola was furious at the Premier League for scheduling the game just three days after his side were forced to penalties to beat Sevilla under baking heat in Greece.

City’s squad have also been stretched early on in the campaign by the absence of Bernardo Silva and John Stones, while Kevin de Bruyne will be out for up to four months with a hamstring injury.

But on this evidence, Guardiola’s men will still take some stopping in their quest to become the first side ever to win four consecutive English top-flight titles.

“It is the second game of the season, but it is proof of the reason why we won a lot. The mindset, mentality of this group of players amaze me every time,” he said.

Newcastle’s 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa last weekend had raised hopes on Tyneside they could be the pick of the challengers to City’s crown as English champions.

But any dreams the Saudi-backed Magpies could pose a challenge for their first top-flight league title in 97 years were dampened by City’s dominance before fatigue crept in late on.

“It was a tough game, as we knew it would be. They’re an elite team. We tried our best to execute our plan. We did better in the second half, but when the moments came we weren’t clinical enough,” said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

“It’s a reminder we’ve got work to do, but I was under no illusions that was the case. We can play a lot better than that. There are always reasons, it’s difficult to say (why). There are two teams and your team have to react to the conditions you are playing against.”

Alvarez could be one of the benefactors of de Bruyne’s lengthy layoff. The Argentinian scored 17 goals in his debut season despite having to play largely second fiddle to Erling Haaland.

Guardiola may now be forced to pair Alvarez with the Norwegian more often and he showed what he is capable of with a superb finish into the top corner from Phil Foden’s pass on 31 minutes. Foden also seized the opportunity to be the principal playmaker in the City midfield as he stepped up in the absence of de Bruyne and Silva.

“I enjoy playing in there. Hopefully in the future I can pick up more games there and show people what I can do,” Foden said.

“The manager spoke to me a few times. He said to remain patient, ‘You always train and work hard and you’ll get your opportunities in the future’, and now I’m living up to them. I’m more than happy.”

Despite his side’s fatigue, Guardiola refused to make a single substitution and told one City fan to take his place on the bench when urged to make some changes. AFP, REUTERS