The reigning Premier League Champions, Manchester City, have already dropped two points this season by virtue of their draw with Wolverhampton Wolves last week. However, today’s showing at home versus Newcastle United is kind of what you were looking and hoping for if you’re a City supporter.
The Cityzens beat Newcastle 2-1 in a match where they absolutely dominated all the major statistics, but unfortunately failed to appropriately kill off the game. The 2-1 final score doesn’t do justice to just how much they thoroughly thrashed the Magpies on Saturday, but manager Pep Guardiola would have obviously liked to have seen his side finish off more chances and win by a wider margin.
City got goals from Raheem Sterling (8′) and Kyle Walker (52′) to overcome the visitors’ scoring strike by DeAndre Yedlin. City, who are now undefeated against Newcastle in 22 Premier League matches, dominated possession 78%-22% and shots 24-3 (8-2 on target). While it’s discouraging that they didn’t score three or four today, it’s encouraging that they won despite being on their A game.
While Liverpool are the current league leaders, and the sexy pick by some pundits to win the league this campaign, Manchester City are the overwhelming favorites to finish first in the table, according to the bookmakers.
Manchester City is being backed anywhere from 1/66 to 1/200 to end up in the top four, and that’s better than any other club in the table. While today was a result they will certainly take, it definitely was not a win in the style that Guardiola would have preferred.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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