London, March 4 (BNA): Manchester City passed a major test of their Premier League credentials with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday, with Pep Guardiola hitting two big calls.
Phil Foden got the start on Riyad Mahrez down the right wing and gave City the lead in the 15th minute when his drive was launched into the area with a shot deflecting off Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope.
City looked uncomfortable against a powerful Newcastle side who were dangerous on the counter-attack but scored the decisive second goal three minutes after Guardiola sacked Kevin De Bruyne who suffered a rare ineffective performance.
De Bruyne’s replacement, Bernardo Silva, scored with one of his first touches, slotting past Pope from 15 meters in the 67th minute after a shot from Erling Haaland.
By being only the second team – after Liverpool – to beat Newcastle in the league this season, second-placed City have kept the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
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