Manchester City made a massive show of their success when they parked their five trophies on the pitch before their last Premier League game, as if to remind us this is a winning machine not to be underestimated.
City are in a similar position to last season after 19 fixtures. They were five points behind leaders Arsenal then, and five points behind Liverpool now, and it feels ominous for the Premier League that Kevin de Bruyne and Erling Haaland are close to returning.
In their absence, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez have been simply sensational, with 24 goals and 17 assists between them this term. That return has been so remarkable, Pep Guardiola must be tempted to get this fab four into the same line-up, something we’ve seen just once — in City’s season-opening win at Burnley.
Foden has shown his versatility as a left and right winger but has recently taken on more responsibility as a No10 behind Alvarez. From this position he’s playing the best football of his career. Foden had to wait until De Bruyne bowed out with injury to get on in the 2023 Champions League final but is now doing his best to show why he should start, even when De Bruyne is back. Foden was essential in City’s last away win, at Everton. In that system, John Stones was the trigger for a series of movements.
It is a blow Stones is injured again as he is key to Guardiola’s plan to send a defender into midfield. When Stones moved to sit next to Rodri, Matheus Nunes drifted to the right, Bernardo Silva stepped inside into a central area, Jack Grealish stayed hugging the left wing, while this released Foden to push up alongside Alvarez. They led the line together, got a goal apiece, and City won at Goodison.
Phil Foden (left) has taken to the No 10 role at Manchester City like a duck to water, starring alongside Julian Alvarez (right)
Foden scored twice in the 5-0 FA Cup win against Manchester City and will line up in the same position against Newcastle
The return of De Bruyne and Haaland, a bit further down the line, is great news for Guardiola as he now has top-level competition for places, but bad news for everyone else who wants to stop City from winning a fourth consecutive title.
Even if De Bruyne and Haaland are not fit enough to face Newcastle on Saturday, Guardiola will be confident Foden and Alvarez will do the same outstanding job they have been doing.
n Now Newcastle have got a taste of the Champions League, they are hungry for more, and it’s their home form which has been carrying their quest for qualification.
St James’ Park is one of the toughest places to visit — a cauldron of noise.
After losing five of their last six in the Premier League, Newcastle will use Saturday’s visit of the defending champions to show they are still a force to be reckoned with, and they have got the blistering pace to hurt City on the counter-attack.
Pep Guardiola will be confident that Foden and Alvarez can continue to do the job they have been doing
Kevin de Bruyne returned to action last week and will likely be on the bench against Newcastle
Despite being ravaged by injuries, Howe has decisions to make. Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon can start on the left or right. I believe they should be paired on the left, with Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron on the right to create two high-octane flanks.
Alexander Isak has shown he is the real deal as Newcastle’s lone striker and will use his own pace to bombard City’s back line.
City were bought by their owners in 2008, and are now dominating world football. Newcastle, with their new-found riches, want to emulate City. But first they need to make sure they are mixing with Europe’s elite.
Beating City would provide them with the boost they need to get back among the big boys in next season’s Champions League.
