Man City v Newcastle U August 2013

A great start to the new season and top of the league! Under new management and with several new signings to see there was a great feeling of expectation among the City supporters. We were not to be disappointed. Almost from the first whistle we went at Newcastle and might have been two up in the first few minutes. However it did not take too long for us to go ahead and Dzeko provided the cross which David Silva headed home via a diverted defensive block. A neat pass from Dzeko again sent Aguero dashing past a defender and with an excellent finish put City two up in no time. Just before half time a stupid act by Taylor had the Newcastle defender on his way to the dressing room and the visitors were down to ten men. A great free kick by Yaya Toure put paid to Newcastle's hopes and finally substitute Nasri made the most of a defensive mistake to score the 4th goal. Joe Hart had little to do in goal and barely touched it in the second half but an injury to Kompany was worrying. New signing Fernandinho and yaya Toure bossed the midfield and Silva was back to his creative best. Down the right flank Navas was fast got through a lot of work and his crosses will cause lots of problems for defence's this season. Nice to see Aguero back in action again but the biggest shock was the performance of Dzeko who worked his socks off provided passes for two of the goals and was unlucky not to be on the score sheet. We only saw ten minutes of Negredo so it's a bit too early to say much yet.

In tribute to the last Bert Trautmann the City players wore keepers jerseys while warming up

We had new signings Fernandinho and Navas in the team. Aguero and Dzeko were up front

There was a minutes applause or Bert Trautmann who had passed away recently - more here

The City bench included new signing Negredo but no Jovetic, Richards or Barry

In the early minutes Zabaleta had penalty appeal turned down when he was tackled by Taylor

..Newcastle managed to clear the danger eventually

Newcastle had their usual good support but they rarely had much to cheer about

On 3 minutes Dzeko has an effort well saved by Krul

The only visiting manager i could spot was Sam Allardyce

On six minutes Dzeko crossed under pressure.....

....and when the ball was deflected by a defender Silva was on hand to head the ball.....

...past Krul to score City's first goal of the new season and it got us off to a great start

After the first few minutes sat on the bench new manager Manual Pellegrini was soon on the touchline

A rare moment in the game when Newcastle were in our penalty area and they did score but Gouffran was a mile offside!

Yaya Toure has a penalty appeal turned down

On 21 minutes Aguero took a pass from Dzeko....

....and shot perfectly past the diving Krul to give City a two goal lead

Whilst the City fans were joyous at Aguero's effort the Newcastle fans were pretty down

Following his injury and no pre-season work it was a sublime effort and will give him plenty of confidence

Dzeko in action again -this time in defence clearing the visitors only corner

On the half hour there was a handbags at dawn issue between Dzeko and Yanga-Mbiwa near the corner flag

In the end peace was declared and both got yellow cards for their trouble

Krul saves from Dzeko

Navas is pushed off the pitch

Aguero had a good chance but was robbed by Taylor

Just before half time Taylor swipes at Aguero with his arm..

It was a stupid and un-necessary challenge and he gets a red card

As if Newcastle aren't in enough trouble already and they have to face City already two up for the remaining 45 minutes with ten men

At half time Trautmann's family members are interviewed

At the start of the second half a cross from Navas is just about saved by Krul under pressure

On 49 minutes Aguero is brought down just outside the box and Yaya Toure takes the free kick which just flies over the heads of the wall..... ( can you spot the ball)

... and past the keeper into the top corner to make it three nil

The City players celebrate

Yet another run and cross by Navas and Krul manages to save from Silva

Navas in action gain but Krul saves the day fro Newcastle who but for him could be 5 or 6 down

On 70 minutes Kompany is injured and is substituted by Garcia though the announcer said Milner !!!!??

After 74 minutes Nasri ( on for Aguero) took advantage of a mix-up in the Newcastle defence and scored with a well placed shot to make it 4-0

Dzeko heads just over

Negredo comes on a sub for Silva after 80 minutes

Negredo did get the ball in the net but was deemed offside. Pity it would have been nice to finish 5-0