Craig Bellamy scored on his debut for the first time in eight attempts as Manchester City defeated Newcastle.
New City striker on target to sink sorry Newcastle
Craig Bellamy scored on his league debut for the first time in eight attempts as Manchester City defeated Newcastle United at Eastlands.
The former Magpies and West Ham striker produced a superb turn and finish into the bottom corner 13 minutes from time after Shaun Wright-Phillips and Pablo Zabaleta had combined to create the opportunity.
Bellamy's goal looked to have sealed victory for City after Wright-Phillips had been teed-up by Robinho to open the scoring before the interval following Wayne Bridge's low cross in from the left.
Newcastle responded immediately through Andy Carroll after Bridge's defensive lapse allowed David Edgar to cross and set up a tense finale, but there was no way back for the Magpies.
To add to Joe Kinnear's woes, Michael Owen limped out of the action before the break with an ankle ligament injury which left him on crutches and Joey Barton hobbled out of the game during the second period.
Shay Given's knee injury was hardly a surprise as it would allow any discussions that take place between Newcastle - whose owner Mike Ashley was at the game - and City to continue without the inconvenience of the Irishman playing for his current team against the one who want him.
Peace
For Mark Hughes, the decision to select Robinho, his best player, was straightforward, despite worrying off-field headlines and his recent exit from the club's training camp in Tenerife.
Having apparently made peace with Hughes, he then got any remaining waverers in the City support back onside with a deft through-ball which allowed Wright-Phillips to drive a shot through Steve Harper's legs and put the hosts in front.
In truth, it was by far the best moment of a tepid opening period in which City debutants Bellamy and Nigel de Jong buzzed about effectively without being able to assist their team-mates in making the most of their dominance.
Lacklustre as City were, they were a cut above Newcastle, who were truly awful.
The loss of Owen just after Wright-Phillips' goal when he jarred his leg after leaping for an aerial collision with Nedum Onuoha hardly helped.
But Kinnear does not have much time to build a team capable of escaping relegation trouble and this one might not.
Cursing
They did at least force Joe Hart into a save in the opening minutes of the second half, although Damien Duff's long-range shot was ambitious at best.
Newcastle were cursing when rookie referee Mike Jones failed to rule Micah Richards' challenge on Steven Taylor a foul even though the City defender had been caught badly out of position when Duff floated over the cross which was about to be powered home until Taylor hit the deck.
But Bellamy and Wright-Phillips felt they should have been similarly rewarded at the other end by Jones, a veteran of only five previous top flight games.
And there was no need for debate 13 minutes from time when Zabaleta strode onto Wright-Phillips' pass and then found Bellamy.
Bellamy seized his opportunity, twisting and turning on the edge of the box before sending a precise shot past Harper.
Three minutes later, Bridge allowed Edgar to rob him close to the penalty area and the youngster wasted no time in providing Carroll with a tap-in - but City ended worthy winners.
| Manchester City |
Team Statistics |
Newcastle United |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
2 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 7 |
Corners |
0 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 81.2 |
Passing Success |
71.6 |
| 14 |
Tackles |
26 |
| 85.7 |
Tackles Success |
80.8 |
| 56.2 |
Possession |
43.8 |
| 48 |
Territorial Advantage |
52 |
|
