Manchester City marked their Premier League title triumph with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Newcastle United at St James' Park, with Ferran Torres scoring a hat-trick. The match echoed City's 4-3 win at the same ground in 1968, when they clinched the league title with Colin Bell starring. Bell, who died in January, was remembered as City played their first game as champions.
Newcastle took the lead through Emil Krafth's header, but Joao Cancelo equalised with a deflected shot. Torres then put City ahead with a stunning backheel volley from Ilkay Gundogan's cross. However, Newcastle levelled before half-time through Joe Willock. Torres restored City's lead with a second goal, and completed his hat-trick with a third, before Willock pulled one back for Newcastle late on.
Pep Guardiola acknowledged defensive frailties but saw the match as a lesson ahead of the Champions League final. 'If you want to compete against Chelsea in the Champions League final you have to avoid mistakes and I'm pretty sure this is a good lesson,' he said. 'It is better to happen today!'
Torres, 20, impressed with his instinctive finishing. Guardiola praised his 'intuition' in the box. City dominated possession with 82.3%, the second-highest recorded by Opta, but Newcastle's counter-attacks caused problems. Scott Carson made his City debut in goal, his first Premier League appearance in nearly a decade.
