Omar Marmoush’s Hat-Trick Fires Manchester City to Dominant 4-0 Win Over Newcastle United

Going into this match, both Manchester City and Newcastle United were locked on points, with the Cityzens only ahead on goals scored. On paper, it looked like we were in for a tightly contested battle at the Etihad. But football, as always, had other plans.

Pep Guardiola’s men delivered a masterclass, steamrolling the Magpies 4-0 and sending a clear message to the rest of the league. And at the heart of it all? Winter signing Omar Marmoush, who announced himself in spectacular fashion with a hat-trick that had the Etihad faithful on their feet.  

Just three days after a grueling Champions League clash against Real Madrid, City were expected to start sluggishly. But from the first whistle, it was clear that Guardiola's men were anything but tired. They were fast, fluid, and full of intent. Ilkay Gundogan, back in the starting XI, dictated the tempo early on, while Savinho's pace on the right flank kept Newcastle's defense stretched. Newcastle, meanwhile, looked overwhelmed. Eddie Howe had set his team up to soak pressure and hit on the break, but every time they tried to play out, City's relentless pressing forced errors. Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali struggled to assert any kind of control, and it felt like a goal was coming. 

That goal arrived in the 19th minute, and what a goal it was. Ederson spotted Omar Marmoush's darting run behind Newcastle’s high line. The Brazilian's raking 60-yard pass was inch-perfect, and Marmoush did the rest. One delicate touch to control, another to chip the onrushing Dúbravka. 1-0 City, and Marmoush had his first Premier League goal. The Etihad erupted, but City weren’t done. Newcastle barely had time to regroup when, just five minutes later, Marmoush struck again. This time it was Gündogan who unlocked the Magpies' defense with a clever through ball. Marmoush, oozing confidence, cut inside Trippier and unleashed a rocket into the bottom right corner. Dúbravka had no chance. 

2-0 up inside 25 minutes, City smelled blood. Newcastle were reeling, their backline looking more disorganized by the minute. And in the 34th minute, the inevitable happened – Marmoush completed his hat-trick. Savinho, who had been a menace down the right all evening, drove to the byline and picked out Marmoush with a simple cutback. The Egyptian tapped it in from ten yards, securing his first-ever Premier League hat-trick. The Etihad crowd gave Marmoush a standing ovation. After struggling to make an immediate impact following his January arrival, the Egyptian had just torn Newcastle apart. Social media was already ablaze with comparisons to Mohamed Salah. Mo might still be the King of Egypt, but Marmoush had certainly thrown his hat into the ring. 

As for Newcastle, they looked shell-shocked. Their backline, usually so resolute, had been carved open time and again. Alexander Isak was isolated, Anthony Gordon ineffective, and Kieran Trippier visibly frustrated. Eddie Howe’s side needed the half-time whistle just to breathe.  

After the break, City shifted gears. They no longer needed to chase goals; it was all about controlling the game and conserving energy for their upcoming trip to Madrid. The passes were slick, the pressing relentless, but the urgency had dimmed. Having said that, City added a fourth in the 84th minute. Gündogan's corner was flicked on at the near post by Haaland, and young James McAtee was there at the back post to bundle it over the line. 4-0, game over. 

Despite the commanding performance, Guardiola’s joy was tempered by a late injury scare. In the 85th minute, Erling Haaland went down clutching his knee after awkwardly planting his foot. The Etihad held its breath. Guardiola paced the touchline. Fortunately, after a few tense moments, Haaland was able to walk off unaided, suggesting the injury wasn’t serious. Still, with the Real Madrid clash looming, City fans will be sweating over their Norwegian talisman’s fitness.  

For Manchester City, this performance was exactly what they needed. The emphatic win lifts them above Newcastle and reignites their top-four hopes. But the celebrations will be short-lived. Next up is that daunting trip to the Bernabéu, where they'll need every ounce of Marmoush's newfound confidence. Newcastle, on the other hand, will need to regroup – and fast. A trip to face third-placed Nottingham Forest awaits, and with European spots slipping out of reach, Howe must find a way to spark his team back into life.