Newcastle United 3-4 Manchester City: Torres hits hat-trick for record-breaking champions
May 14, 2021 21:37 MYT
Ferran Torres scored his first Manchester City hat-trick as the champions set an English league record of 12 consecutive away wins with a pulsating 4-3 victory over Newcastle United on Friday.
City – playing their first match since a third Premier League title in four seasons was confirmed on Tuesday – fell behind midway through the first half when Emil Krafth headed past Scott Carson, who was making his first top-flight appearance since May 2011.
Pep Guardiola's side powered back through quickfire goals from Joao Cancelo and Torres, although Joelinton restored parity before the interval from the spot.
Newcastle went ahead again when Joe Willock slotted home after his own penalty was saved by Carson, but Torres scored twice in two minutes to seal a wild win for the champions.
12 - Manchester City have won their last 12 away league matches, the longest ever away winning run by a team in the top four tiers of English league football since the formation of the Football League in 1888. Masterful. pic.twitter.com/GkPDL7lnAQ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 14, 2021
Despite early pressure from City it was the hosts who opened the scoring after 25 minutes, Krafth heading his first Premier League goal from Jonjo Shelvey's corner.
Shelvey then crashed a free-kick against the crossbar before two goals in 185 seconds resulted in City taking the lead.
They pulled level in the 39th minute when Cancelo's strike from just inside the penalty area was deflected past Martin Dubravka by Jacob Murphy. Torres then added a second with a superb backheeled flick that looped over Dubravka from Ilkay Gundogan's free-kick.
The Magpies pulled level in first-half stoppage time, though, Joelinton slamming home from the penalty spot after he had been brought down inside the area by Nathan Ake.
Willock put Steve Bruce's side ahead in the 62nd minute, grateful for a tap-in on the rebound after Carson blocked his tame penalty, which was awarded after Kyle Walker tripped the on-loan Arsenal man.
Torres drew City level again two minutes later, diverting home Gabriel Jesus' low cross from six yards.
He then became the third youngest player, at 21 years and 75 days, to score a Premier League hat-trick for City when he expertly volleyed into the roof of the net after Cancelo's long-range strike crashed back off the post.
Guardiola's decision to hand Carson a shock start, and his debut for the club, told us all we needed to know about where his priorities lie for the remainder of the season.
The champions have two more Premier League games to navigate before that mouth-watering Champions League final against Chelsea on May 29.
Despite their sloppy performance, they have now gone 23 away matches unbeaten in all competitions – the longest-ever such run by a team from England's top four tiers.
Torres sparkles for City
Torres' quietly impressive maiden season at City continued with another fine display. His treble took him to 13 goals for the campaign, with team-mate Phil Foden (14) the only player aged 21 or under to have scored more for a Premier League club across all competitions this term.
Ake struggles on return to line-up
It was not hard to see why Ake has been limited to just 10 Premier League appearances this season. The former Bournemouth man was well off the pace and committed the foul that led to Joelinton's successful penalty at the end of the first half.
90% - Scott Carson completed 90% of his passes in tonight's match (9/10), his highest ever percentage in a Premier League match in his 146th appearance. Adapted. pic.twitter.com/ULPZEtGP4a
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 14, 2021
Key Opta facts
- City have won their last 12 away league matches, the longest ever away winning run by a team in the top four tiers of English league football since the formation of the Football League in 1888.
What's next?
City travel to Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday, while Newcastle host Sheffield United a day later.