Man City vs Newcastle: Alvarez's goal gives the Cityzens a narrow 1-0 victory

Pep Guardiola's defending champions, seeking a record fourth successive top-flight title, were made to work hard during Man City vs Newcastle, but a wonderful Julian Alvarez finish just after the half hour mark earned us the three points.

It means we have now won 17 consecutive home matches across all competitions, setting a new Club record that has stood since 1921 and was equalled just last year.

The result also extends our incredible home form against today's opponents, with Newcastle still yet to win at City since our move to the Etihad Stadium in 2003.

Man City vs Newcastle: Match Summary

The Treble winners were welcomed into the Etihad Stadium by giant tifos of all three major trophies won last season stretching down from the top tier of the East Stand.

Both sets of players also passed by the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup silverware themselves as they made their way on to the pitch.

Pep Guardiola asked City fans for loud and loyal support if we were to overcome a side tipped by many to repeat last year's Champions League qualification.

All four sides of the stadium responded with vociferous backing as the two teams traded early blows without truly testing either goalkeeper.

The home side became the dominant force as the first half wore on, with Rodrigo and Mateo Kovacic in particular pulling the strings in midfield.

Newcastle's defending became increasingly frantic, with only blocks on a Julian Alvarez cross and Kovacic piledriver keeping the ball away from Nick Pope in goal.

That was until the 31^st minute, when the increasing pressure told with a pinpoint Alvarez finish.

Kovacic, always looking to progress the ball forward, threaded a pass between the lines that was collected by Phil Foden.

Our England man laid the ball for Alvarez on the edge of the box, who took one touch and rifled an unstoppable shot inside the far post of Pope's goal.

Newcastle's goalkeeper got a fingertip to the shot but it was struck with such venom and accuracy that no stopper on the planet could have been expected to keep it out.

Erling Haaland thought he had City's second around ten minutes later but his hooked left-footed finish across goal from a Foden pass crept just wide of the far post.

Second Half:

The first chance of the second period of Man City vs Newcastle came in novel fashion, with Ederson hammering a goal kick down the middle for Haaland and Newcastle's Sven Botman to tussle for.

Haaland held off the tall Dutch defender and hit a shot on goal but it was straight at Pope.

Eddie Howe attempted to change things just before the hour with the introduction of Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff, but instead it served to drive City on.

Incisive dribbling from Foden created two openings for Haaland in quick succession but the Norwegian missed the target with his first and saw his second blocked by the right foot of Pope.

An almost unheard of lapse in concentration from midfield linchpin Rodrigo presented a breakaway chance for substitute Callum Wilson in the 70th minute.

The England striker just had to get beyond Josko Gvardiol in order to get through on Ederson's goal.

However, our latest recruit was more than up to the task, forcing Wilson backwards and enabling blue shirts to recover in numbers.

With Newcastle desperately seeking an equaliser, the game became ever more stretched in the closing stages.

Turnovers in possession saw both sides burst into life, with Foden in particular coming closest for City.

However, a solid defensive performance meant Ederson's goal remained largely unbothered even against one of the most dangerous attacks in the league.