Omar Marmoush scored a superb first-half hat-trick to inspire Manchester City to a dominant 4-0 victory over Premier League top-four rivals Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The £63m January signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, nicknamed 'The Pharaoh', was unable to score in any of his opening four appearances for the Citizens after netting 15 times in 17 games in the Bundesliga earlier this season, but he was at his ruthless best in front of goal against Newcastle.
Eddie Howe's side initially did well to weather an early storm from Man City, but things soon began to click for the hosts in the final third and Marmoush netted a memorable treble - the first of his senior career - within a 14-minute period to put Pep Guardiola's side firmly in control.
Kieran Trippier's poor first-half display resulted in his half-time withdrawal. Joe Willock was also replaced at the interval by Lewis Miley, while Howe's decision to put Alexander Isak on the left flank and Callum Wilson through the middle midway through the second half did not change Newcastle's fortunes in the final third.
Martin Dubravka's goal was not threatened as much by Man City during the second half, but substitute James McAtee tapped home from close range from a corner to add a fourth six minutes from time to rub salt into Newcastle's wounds.
Victory for Man City has not only lifted the spirits of the Etihad faithful following a painful 3-2 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid in midweek, but it has also helped them to climb back into the top four, one point clear of Chelsea who lost 3-0 at Brighton on Friday.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have now seen their losing streak away against Man City extended to 16 matches and a first top-flight away defeat since December 7 have seen them slip to seventh in the table following Bournemouth's 3-1 win at Southampton.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Oliver Thomas live from the Etihad Stadium:
Challenging fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Man City, who were determined to bounce back from a demoralising midweek Champions League defeat and could ill-afford to drop more Premier League points against one of their top-four rivals.
Many had predicted Newcastle to come away with a positive result against a mentally and physically frail Citizens outfit, but Guardiola freshened up his side with six changes - including a PL debut handed to Nico Gonzalez - and they ultimately eased to victory against a Magpies side lacking the ruthless touch that they have shown in previous weeks.
This match was a real opportunity for players such as Marmoush to impress Guardiola and stake a claim for a start in next week's crucial second leg with Real Madrid – it is fair to say that City's new Egyptian attacker has succeeded in that regard!
His infectious energy, pace and clinical touch in the final third ultimately made the difference for Man City, who picked up three valuable points at a crucial time before facing Premier League leaders Liverpool next Sunday.
A special mention should also go to Abdukodir Khusanov who, along with centre-back John Stones, kept Alexander Isak quiet - something many PL defences have struggled with this term - and put in an assured defensive performance, putting aside the nerves that he felt during a difficult debut against Chelsea last month.
MAN CITY VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS
Omar Marmoush goal vs. Newcastle (19th min, Man City 1-0 Newcastle)
Man City take the lead through January signing Omar Marmoush, who celebrates scoring his first goal for the club since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The hosts go direct with a clever ball over the top from goalkeeper Ederson. Kieran Trippier misjudges the bounce and Marmoush rolls off him before running in behind and placing a composed side-footed shot over the outrushing Martin Dubravka.
Omar Marmoush goal vs. Newcastle (24th min, Man City 2-0 Newcastle)
Man City needed just five minutes to double their advantage and it is Marmoush who is on the scoresheet again!
Ilkay Gundogan drives forward into space in the attacking third before playing a precise pass to Marmoush, who cut inside before firing a lot shot into the bottom-left corner.
Omar Marmoush goal vs. Newcastle (33rd min, Man City 3-0 Newcastle)
Omar Marmoush completes his hat-trick in the 33rd minute!
Savinho shows a brilliant turn of pace on the right flank and bursts into a promising position before cutting a low cross back to Marmoush, who is free in a central position inside the penalty box to stroke home a first-time right-footed finish, scoring his third goal inside a 14-minute period.
James McAtee goal vs. Newcastle (84th min, Man City 4-0 Newcastle)
James McAtee adds a fourth for Man City!
Gundogan's corner is flicked on at the near post by Erling Haaland and McAtee is alert at the back post to volley his shot home - his first Premier League goal for Man City and his sixth goal of the season in all competitions.
MAN OF THE MATCH - OMAR MARMOUSH
Who else? The 26-year-old had shown glimpses of his threat during his first four appearances in a Man City shirt, but this afternoon was the moment that he truly announced himself in front of a jubilant Etihad crowd.
His first goal was delicate and composed, his second was accurately arrowed into the bottom corner, and his third to complete a memorable hat-trick was timed to perfection, courtesy of a smart run to meet Savinho's cross. Marmoush was a threat to Newcastle's backline all afternoon and was undoubtedly City's standout performer in attack.
MAN CITY VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS
Possession: Man City 62%-38% Newcastle
Shots: Man City 11-3 Newcastle
Shots on target: Man City 7-1 Newcastle
Corners: Man City 7-4 Newcastle
Fouls: Man City 5-13 Newcastle
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Manchester City will now shift their attention back to the Champions League and will endeavour to overturn a one-goal deficit when they face holders Real Madrid in the second leg of their playoff tie at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.
As for Newcastle, they are next in Premier League action on February 23 when they welcome Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest to St James' Park.
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