MANCHESTER CITY added three more points to their tally yesterday evening despite a stubborn, spirited display from Newcastle United.

Kyle Walker’s second-half thunderbolt gave Pep Guardiola’s side the win after Raheem Sterling’s early opener was cancelled out by Deandre Yedlin in the first half.

“The goal we conceded, we defended very, very, badly,” said the Manchester City manager. 

“But in general, we conceded only one more chance. [Newcastle] live for that counter-attack or for that one action from set-piece, and we conceded few set-pieces.

“That’s why our performance was good and in the second half we created more chances.”

The battle between Sterling and Yedlin was a point of interest throughout the game, and both made their presence felt in attack. 

The Man City winger opened the scoring for the home side when Jamaal Lascelles’ careless pass out of defence was intercepted by Benjamin Mendy. The Frenchman found Sterling who shifted inside from the left before curling a powerful effort past Martin Dubravka.

It was an afternoon for right backs and an afternoon for firsts. Yedlin’s goal, which he turned in at the far post following good work from Kenedy and Salomon Rondon, was his first in the Premier League.

Newcastle were holding their own with the bustling Rondon leading the line well, but while the first goal they conceded was preventable, there was nothing they could have done about the second. It flew off Walker’s boot into the bottom corner and it was the full back’s first for the club.

It was far from a fluid and free-scoring Manchester City performance — Rafa Benitez made sure that would not be the case — but it was a win nevertheless.

“I am really pleased with the effort, mentality and team spirit,” said Newcastle boss Benitez.

“We were in the game for a while but we gave the ball away for the first and the second was a great goal.

“You could see at the end when we had four at the back that [Sergio] Aguero was one-on-one. As soon as you expose yourself against these teams you have problems.”

Aguero should have done better with the chance Benitez spoke of, but he sent his shot wide with three teammates in support, much to Guardiola’s annoyance.

Both teams will believe they can improve, but Newcastle’s situation is more troubling, having secured just one point from four games.

“We can’t be watching the table, it’s too early,” added Benitez. 

“The main thing is the performance. We are not too far away and as soon as you get a couple of victories you can go up.”