After a crushing, late defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final last week, Manchester City returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion as goals from Aymeric Laporte, Rodri, Phil Foden and a brace from Raheem Sterling sealed a sweet 5-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
City were without Kyle Walker – who went off in the second-leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week – and John Stones against the Magpies, with issues in defence piling for the league leaders in the final lap of their campaign.
Ruben Dias was taken off at half time on Sunday with suggestions over a potential injury for the 24-year-old defender, who recently returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines to help City maintain a slim lead over Liverpool in the table.
Pep Guardiola confirmed after the win over Eddie Howe’s men that Dias, Walker and Stones will all be unavailable for City’s final stretch of games against Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa, which leaves the Blues without significant cover at the heart of defence.
James McAtee and Cole Palmer have already made their Premier League debuts for City this season, with right-back CJ Egan-Riley coming on late against Newcastle on Sunday and making his first senior league outing for his boyhood side.
Fernandinho added: “They show every day in every (training) session that they can play for Manchester City’s first team – he (Egan-Riley) got his opportunity to play a few minutes and I’m delighted for him.”
Follow City Xtra on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube