Manchester City secured the Christmas number one spot with another comprehensive victory, this time away at St. James Park. Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez, and Raheem Sterling appear on the scoresheets breaking a new top-flight record of their 34th win in all match competitions in the 2021-22 season. 

On the other hand, Chelsea remains furious after being held to a 0-0 stalemate at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, which saw them fall further behind in the Premier League title chase. Chelsea’s efforts to reschedule the match due to seven positive Covid-19 cases in the team were unsuccessful. 

Highlights from the Sky Blues’ Win Against the Magpies in the Premier League

The hosts made five changes in the team from their last 3 – 1 loss against Liverpool at Anfield. Jonjo Shelvey was absent from the match against Manchester City. Allan Saint-Maximin was only fit to sit on the bench, although Callum Wilson returned to the side.

The visitors also changed their 7 – 0 victory against Leeds United at Etihad. Joao Cancelo made his return from suspension, and Pep Guardiola made two changes in Manchester City forward line with Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling coming in at the expense of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.

Matchday 18 and goals from Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Riyad Mahrez, and Raheem Sterling see Manchester City walk away from St. James’ Park with a 4-0 victory. The hosts made it easier for the visitors by handing them the opening goal within the first 5 minutes. Ruben Dias gave the Sky Blues the lead at St. James’ Park following a farcical mix-up between goalie Martin Dubravka and Ciaran Clark.

In the 27th minute, Joao Cancelo scored an incredible stunner goal from the edge of the penalty box marking his 38th shot on goal. The 27-year-old Portuguese marked his first Premier League goal and 3rd in all competitions. Joao Cancelo celebrates his 100 appearances at Newcastle with an assist and a goal.

Ederson Santana de Moraes dangerously tackled Ryan Fraser giving the Magpies a strong penalty appeal waved away moments later. Riyad Mahrez scored the third goal for the visitors following a skillful cross from Oleksandr Zinchenko. At first, it was an initial offside decision, but after a VAR review, Referee Martin Atkinson confirmed it a goal. 

Riyad Karim Mahrez scores his 50th goal for the Sky Blues. In the 86th minute, Man City made it a 4 – 0 after Gabriel Jesus sent a striking cross to Raheem Sterling, who rubber-stamped the visitors’ clean sheet dominance. Joao Cancelo was the man of the match. 

Eddie Howe’s side has lost all 11 Premier League matches against the Sky Blues. This marked the worst a manager can tally in a competition’s history against a single opponent. 

Manchester City’s 106 score milestone in the English Premier League in 2021-22 is their best in a calendar year. That once happened in 1963 when Arsenal tallied 112 goals in a single calendar year. 

Newcastle Vs. Manchester City Player Rankings

Newcastle United 4-5-1 Line-Up: Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira (7), Martin Dubravka (6), Matt Ritchie (6), Ryan Fraser (6), Murphy (6), Isaac Hayden (6), Miguel Almiron (6), Joe Willock (6), Callum Wilson (6), Jamaal Lascelles (5), and Ciaran Clark (4)

Substitutes Used: Alan Saint-Maximin (6), Sean Longstaff (6)

Yellow Card: Isaac Hayden (6)

Man City 4-2-3-1 Line-Up: Joao Cancelo (9), Ruben Dias (8), Bernardo Silva (8), Aymeric Laporte (8), Oleksandr Zinchenko (7), Riyad Mahrez (7), Ederson Santana de Moraes (7), Kevin De Bruyne (7), Raheem Sterling (7), Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (7), and Gabriel Jesus (7)

Substitutes Used: Cole Parmer (6), Fernandinho Luiz Roza (6)

Yellow Card: Bernardo Silva (8) and Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (7)

Chelsea 0 – 0 Draw Against Wolves at Molineux Stadium

The Blues are six points off the current Premier League leaders – Manchester City, following a goalless draw against the resilient Wanderers. According to Skysports, Thomas Tuchel said the team is very concerned about the players’ health. 

However, Chelsea welcomed back N’golo Kante by replacing Trevor Chelobah in the starting lineup, but that wasn’t enough to find a breakthrough. However, the Wolves never found a chance to get away with the three points despite Adama Traore’s late threats on the Blues defense. Conor Coady was the man of the match.

Wolves Vs. Chelsea Player Ratings 

Wolves 3-5-2 Line-Up: Kilman (8), Coady (8), Sa (7), Saiss (7), Podence (7) Moutinho (7), Marcal (7), Neves (7), Hoever (6), Dendoncker (6), and Jimenez (6)

Substitutes: Adama Traore (5)

Chelsea 3-4-2-1 Line-Up: Thiago Silva (8), Rudiger (7), Mount (7), Azpilicueta (7), Kante (7), James (7), Alonso (6), Chalobah (6), Mendy (6), Ziyech (6), and Pulisic (6), 

Substitutes: Saul (6) and Kovacic (6)