Now THAT'S more like it!
I had a feeling of foreboding before kick off, but we seemed up for the scrap from the start. There was movement & energy & I was impressed with how quietly efficient Nico was in the centre, as he partnered with a deep lying Gundog, who also had a quietly impressive game.
The opening exchanges were mostly City & then BANG! Moose latched on to a long pass from Ederson & lobbed the ball over Newcastle's keeper for his first City goal & the opener. This is just what he needed to settle him down, as I feel he's been trying too hard to impress in his first three matches.
The opener saw us rediscover our groove & within the space of 14 minutes, Moose scored another two to complete a stunning first half hat-trick! City 3-0 going into halftime!
Newcastle tried to hit us after the break, but we absorbed their early pressure & began to apply some of our own. City had the better of the exchanges & you could see Newcastle running out of ideas & heart.
The fear of a late collapse has been there all season, but we seemed to have a lot more staying power than we've displayed recently. And so it was when a late Gundog corner was flicked on by Haaland for McAtee to put the game to bed, with a falling cushioned finish, whilst being fouled. City 4-0 Newcastle.
Khusanov, Lewis, Stones & Gvardiol were all excellent, as was the lively & dangerous Savinho. However, my MoTM must go to Moose. He was electric in attack & clinical in front of goal.
Roll on Real Madrid!