Goal Analysis: Manchester City vs Newcastle United: Pellegrini's Era has commenced!

We take a look at how the goals were scored at the Etihad Stadium and what tweaks and changes Pellegrini has brought to the star-studded Mancity side.

Manuel Pellegrini's era started off to the best possible start; not only did they comprehensively defeat Newcastle United at home but the manner in which they achieved it was exquisite. From the tempo of the passing to the control shown by defense, all of it was perfectly executed by the Citizens.

Man City starting XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Fernandinho, Toure, Jesus Navas, Aguero, Silva, Dzeko

NewCastle United starting XI: Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Sissoko, Tiote, Gouffran, Ben Arfa, Gutierrez, Cisse

1st Goal: David Silva (6 minutes)  

A fortunate deflection saw Man City open their account when David Silva nodded home the 1st goal of the night. 

Silva initiated the move by passing the ball out wide to Dzeko who had quite a frustrating night as Krul made sure he did not get on the score sheet. Silva then popped up in the open space provided by the Magpies' defense in the center right in front of goal. The square ball attempt from Dzeko got deflected and came to Silva who headed home in an almost empty net.

  

 

The triangle of Newcastle United defenders display the lack of cohesion between them, Dzeko receives the ball and heads for the by-line to square it to the center; although that attempt is blocked but the re-bound falls very kindly to the on-rushing Passer David Silva, who turns it in.Take a look at the space and positioning of a very poor Newcastle United defense. 

There are defenders shown by the black line who are cancelling out the square/pull back option but no one from the midfield marked by black circles is close enough i.e. Jonas Guttierez and Cheik Tiote to the runners inside the box. One of who is David Silva, the eventual goal scorer.

2nd Goal: Sergio Aguero (22 minutes, assisted by Edin Dzeko)

This was a masterful tackle and a pumping run by new signing Luis Fernandinho who snatched the ball from Newcastle and set up a wonderful counter-attack, assisted by the clever flick of Dzeko which set Aguero almost clear to go with only Steven Taylor to beat. The little Argentine is a dynamite in such situations and Steven Taylor had no chance to keep up with him; a precision shot ricochet off the post and slammed in the back of the net. A truly master-piece goal from Aguero.

Furthermore, Newcastle were let down by their own defense which was guilty of breaking the line as a defender was behind the actual line playing Aguero on-side on the Dzeko flick. You can not give predators like Aguero chances such as this. Man City 2-0 up and cruising!

3rd Goal: Yaya Toure (50 minutes)

You do not explain goals like these, you just watch and admire them, brilliant free-kick from the Ivorian. Bravo!

4th Goal: Samir Nasri (75 minutes, assisted by Edin Dzeko)

Samir Nasri pounced on a very neat dummy cum flick from Dzeko and scored a very cute goal to get his name on the scoresheet and put City firmly in control. There is not much in this except for 1 CB getting nutmeged, one standing still as if looking at the stars, and a Rightback putting in a horrible air-challenge. Apart from that it was pretty much how Newcastle United played the entire gam: extremely poor and hopeless.

Although Nasri started from behind Debuchy and you should expect Debuchy to be quick enough to clear the ball, he missed his challenge and Nasri swiftly dispossessed him(well come to think of it, Debuchy never really got possession of the ball). Anyways, Krul was beaten and it was 4-0. By the way it was'nt for Krul's heroic saves City would have taken this 7 or may be even 8-0. Well done to City, well done to Pellegrini, and well Dzeko Krul wont be featuring in your next game so keep the shots coming!