Omar Marmoush has made his goal debut for Manchester City – and scored a hat-trick to boot. The former Frankfurt player’s treble marked a personal first, while Ederson’s additional assist saw him set a new record.
Not again. That’s what some of the older Newcastle fans must have thought on Saturday afternoon between the 19th and 33rd minute. It took Omar Marmoush just 14 minutes to score his hat-trick and put Manchester City on the road to victory against the Magpies.
It was the 22nd time that Newcastle had conceded a hat-trick from a single opponent in the Premier League – a joint-worst league record with Southampton. The Skyblues, on the other hand, scored their 44th hat-trick in Premier League history – no other team has scored more – and their 32nd at home. It was a first, however, for the celebrated match winner himself.
“It’s a great day,” enthused Marmoush, who grabbed the match ball for his own collection as soon as the final whistle sounded. ”It’s an amazing feeling, the first hat-trick of my career. I’m very happy that I was able to help my team. I also have to thank my teammates, my coach and the staff. They help me to show my qualities.”
No PL keeper made more assists than Ederson
A special thank you was due to Ederson. The keeper’s long ball from his own half into the path of the ex-Frankfurt player set up his first goal of the day and also his first goal in a City shirt in his fifth competitive game since joining at the end of January.
For Ederson, it was the sixth assist of his Premier League career (266 games), a record for a goalkeeper in England’s top flight. “I hope there are a few more to come,” said the 31-year-old Brazilian. ”Many of our opponents defend man-to-man. We have fast players, so I take the ball there. In my first two years here, I practiced it a lot, now it comes naturally.”
Marmoush only had to lob Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka, with defender Kieran Trippier having badly misjudged and flown under the ball. Barely four minutes later, Marmoush put the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box on the left, and in the 33rd minute he scored a hat-trick after being set up by Savinho from around eleven meters. “I finally feel like I’ve arrived at this club,” Marmoush said later on beIn Sports. ‘I remembered all the hard work and difficulties I’ve been through on my way to joining one of the biggest clubs in the world. This hat-trick is like a reward for all my efforts.’
City manager Pep Guardiola took the goals scored by his new striker relatively calmly. “We knew he would score sooner or later, he is a good finisher,” said the 54-year-old. “Of course he can still improve, but now let’s see how he handles all the compliments.”
Even with those from his head coach himself: “I was happy with the way he scored the goals. He’s been wasting chances recently, but he was really good in the final third today.”
Marmoush’s shift came to an end in the 76th minute, and he left the field to thunderous applause before James McAtee made it 4-0 and Erling Haaland eventually had to be substituted due to a knee injury.
A diagnosis is still pending, but Guardiola appeared relaxed on the matter. “When he was on the floor, everyone was afraid. But he left the field smiling as always. I haven’t spoken to him, but so far no one has come to give me bad news,” said the Catalan.
Guardiola hopes that Haaland will be able to play in the second leg of the Champions League play-offs against Real Madrid on Wednesday – then again alongside Marmoush, who announced great things for his further City career: “This is just the beginning and we are looking forward to the next games.”
