Kyle Walker’s brilliant second-half strike preserved Premier League champions Manchester City’s unbeaten start to the season as they secured a battling victory over winless Newcastle.
City had seen title rivals Liverpool and Chelsea win earlier on Saturday and had to work hard for three points to keep pace at the top end of the table.
Full-back Walker was the match-winner with his first goal for the club, picking the ball up 30 yards out and drilling a low finish into the far corner of the net.
Pep Guardiola’s side were forcing the issue against a Newcastle side set up to defend at Etihad Stadium and took the lead within the opening 10 minutes through Raheem Sterling’s curled effort.
But the home side missed clear-cut chances and were punished when striker Salomon Rondon set up DeAndre Yedlin to stroke home the equaliser before half-time.
It proved to be Newcastle’s only shot on target in the match, however, and Rafael Benitez’s beleaguered side have now collected just one point from their first four games.
