One ingredient has been missing for Manchester City this season but they had it back against Newcastle | OneFootball

Ever since Rodri went down with an ACL injury in September during City’s 2-all draw with Arsenal at the Etihad, Manchester City has been missing one key ingredient to their play. Pep Guardiola’s side has lacked a proper number 6 in midfield from that day on. We have seen what effect that has had on the world champions ever since.

Pep Guardiola has tried a host of alternatives to Rodri ever since that fateful day in September. But today Manchester City finally had that missing ingredient. Nico put in a performance that showed that when City have a proper number 6 in their lineup what they are capable of. They dismantled a quality Newcastle United side 4-nil at the Etihad today in a performance that was reminiscent of City at their peak. Nico was at the heart of it all despite Omar Marmoush’s brilliant hat trick.

Before Omar Marmoush scored a hat trick in 14 first half minutes to effectively end Manchester City’s crucial Premier League fixture against Newcastle Nico was dictating the game. In the games opening stages he demanded possession. Due to this fact he set the tempo of the match. Nico dictated where and how the game would go. The Spanish midfielder also told his more senior teammates where to be defensively and where to be in possession. Those are traits the world champions have lacked ever since Rodri’s season was ended. But they had them today through Nico and the end result spoke for itself.

Nico announced himself as a Manchester City player.

Nico put in a performance that generally doesn’t get the accolades or headlines. But without his display in a crucial Premier League fixture against Newcastle it’s doubtful Pep Guardiola’s side perform how they did. He controlled today’s game and Manchester City were better for it. That speaks volumes of the quality of player City signed from FC Porto on deadline day.

Omar Marmoush is likely to get the headlines for his hat trick against Newcastle and rightfully so. But Nico added the ingredient Pep Guardiola’s side has missed all season. He displayed what he is capable of and in the process showed why he could help Pep Guardiola’s side achieve plenty this season.