Navas effect
City’s jet-heeled winger has come off the bench to great effect in City’s last two games. Against Monchengladbach his introduction coincided with the fightback, and his impact against the Magpies was even more telling. The combined effect of his electric pace down the right, and Kevin De Bruyne’s seamless switch to the left flank, helped pulled Newcastle’s defence apart. Navas’ delivery for De Bruyne’s volleyed goal was perfection too.
The haul that had it all
Five goals in nine touches is ridiculous even by Sergio Aguero’s standards. The haul had it all – a header, left-foot, right-foot, a dinked finish, opportunism and a ferocious hit from distance. Manuel Pellegrini said afterwards he is confident City have got on top of Aguero’s muscle injury problems. Hopefully that is the case – if the forward stays fully fit City have a chance against any opposition they might face.
Etihad atmosphere
Almost 54,000 were packed inside a sell-out Etihad Stadium, and City’s goal glut after the break had everyone of a Blue persuasion on a high. Goals will always provide a feel-good factor but everything is amplified with so many people behind the team. If the noise levels continue the Etihad Stadium will become a place to fear for visiting teams.
Hart foundation
Joe Hart’s save from Aleksandar Mitrovic with City trailing 1-0 was crucial. At the time Newcastle were on the up and at 2-0 the whole complexion of the game would have been different. Of course Aguero grabbed all the headlines with his five-goal display, the question is how many of those would have been scored without Hart’s early intervention?
Mind games
The difference in the game in the first and second halves shows the power of the mental side of the game. When Newcastle had something to fight for, they were impressive, snapping into tackles and threatening in attack. Once City’s second goal went in the visitors could not resist the tides of attack. Twice in a week City have recovered from a deficit to go on and win the game. That belief should stand them in good stead for sterner tasks to come.
