Manchester City 3 Newcastle United 1

Last updated : 29 September 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Sven-Goran Eriksson maintained his splendid start to the season as new manager of high-flying Manchester City.

City displayed character to come from behind to beat Newcastle United 3-1 at Eastlands and keep their 100 per cent home record intact.

Goals from Martin Petrov, Emile Mpenza and Elano made it four home league wins in a row for City, who handed a Premier League debut to rookie keeper Joe Hart.

But it was his opposite number, Shay Given, recalled to the Newcastle goal, who caught the eye early on with a brilliant early save to deny Brazilian Elano.

Stephen Ireland also hit the Newcastle crossbar with a wicked cross as City made a lively start to what proved to be an entertaining encounter.

Yet it was Newcastle who stole ahead in the 29th minute as City conceded their first home league goal of the campaign.

Obafemi Martins raced onto Geremi's through ball and beat defender Micah Richards before lobbing the advancing Hart from just inside the penalty area.

Newcastle almost doubled their lead in comical fashion when Hart mis-kicked a back pass from Javier Garrido, but the keeper saved his blushes with a desperate clearance off the line.

City came straight back and Given beat out a shot from Petrov, before they drew level in the 38th minute.

A delightful build-up ended with Elano releasing Ireland on the right and his low far post cross was fired home by the Bulgarian winger.

Shortly before half-time, Ireland almost added a second goal for City as he was put through by Elano but saw his shot strike Given in the chest with the keeper knowing little about the save.

City were quickest out of the blocks in the second period and took the lead in the 47th minute.

Petrov turned provider this time with a dazzling burst down the left as he outpaced Steven Taylor before crossing to the far post for Mpenza to head home across the face of Given's goal.

Newcastle strived hard to avoid only their second league defeat of their promising start to the season under new manager Sam Allardyce.

Martins, Geremi and Taylor all had decent attempts at goal with Hart tipping over a free-kick from Geremi that was struck from 35 yards.

City saved the best till last when Elano scored his first goal for City in the 87th minute to seal victory.

And what a stunning strike it was for Elano to get off the mark as he let fly with an unstoppable free-kick from 30 yards which arrowed into the top corner of the net.