da realbet： Manchester City were always going to head into their Premier League clash against Newcastle United as heavy favourites – not only were Manuel Pellegrini’s men in second place and 20 points ahead of the Magpies going into the game, but Newcastle had also failed to beat their opponents in their last 16 league games, with their last win recorded in 2005 courtesy of a winner from Michael Owen (yes, really).
da esoccer bet： However, not many people would have expected the game to be so embarrassingly one-sided as Man City trounced the diabolical Newcastle 5-0. Are City firmly still in the title race? Can debutant Wilfried Bony lead them to glory? Are Newcastle in need of a change? Here’s three things we learned from the game:
1. City send defiant message to league leaders Chelsea
After Chelsea’s slip-up at home to Burnley earlier on Saturday, Man City would have hoped to show that the title race is very much still on with a convincing display against the Toon. They managed this with aplomb, and Chelsea must surely be looking nervously over their shoulders at second-placed City, especially given that Yaya Toure is now back in the fold, not to mention new signing Wilfried Bony. Who said this season was going to be a one-horse race?
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2. Wilfried Bony signing has possibility to be a masterstroke by Manuel
Wilfried Bony’s long-awaited Man City debut came midway through the second half, and while the Ivorian failed to score in his first game for his new employers, his signing means that City arguably now boast the finest, most potent attack in the league. If Bony can start banging in the goals – and Chelsea’s Diego Costa hits a rough patch – then the Ivorian could prove key in City’s pursuit of a title defence.
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3. Newcastle need a change of philosophy, and fast
While City certainly deserve praise for their emphatic performance, let’s not forget the plight of the Newcastle fans who made the trip to the Etihad only to watch their beloved team suffer a complete humiliation. The Toon Army got their wish when Alan Pardew left the club for Crystal Palace earlier in the season, but it now seems that the club has regressed under the leadership of John Carver, Newcastle boss until the end of the campaign. The Magpies need a change of manager, methods and mentality – and fast. Frank de Boer, anyone?