December 19, (THEWILL) –Â Manchester City extended their Premier League winning streak to eight games with a 4-0 victory at St James’ Park, adding to Newcastle’s difficulties, although a referee call against the hosts will be the talk of the tie.
Pep Guardiola’s side seized the lead as appalling defending from the hosts startled even the fans after just four minutes. Ciaran Clark allowed Joao Cancelo’s cross across the face of goal to bounce, and Ruben Dias was on hand to tap in from close range.
After 26 minutes, the full-back switched roles, scoring with a wonderful strike from outside the area into the top corner. Three minutes later, Newcastle had a disputed penalty claim turned down after Ederson fouled Ryan Fraser in the box. Referee Martin Atkinson and VAR judged there was no case to be made.
With 63 minutes on the clock, the visitors got their third goal, as Riyad Mahrez knocked in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s wonderful back-post ball for his 50th goal for Man City, though it was initially ruled out for offside.
Raheem Sterling scored his 101st Premier League goal with an easy tap in in the 85th minute, capping off a competitive display.
The result meant City remained in first place, four points ahead of Liverpool despite having played one more game. Newcastle is still at the bottom of the table, having only won once this season.
The decision by Martin Atkinson not to award Newcastle a penalty when Ederson cleanly brought down Ryan Fraser in the box in the first half was undoubtedly the most controversial aspect of this rather one-sided affair.
It appeared to be clear in the replays, highlighting how far the Premier League still has to go in terms of refeering. Eddie Howe and Newcastle fans were understandably enraged by the decision, especially as a goal for the visitors would have placed them right back in the game with a huge portion of the game remaining.
Following Liverpool’s first goal against them in midweek despite two Newcastle players falling down in the box, Newcastle has been on the receiving end of two dubious calls in two games.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
