Manchester City roared back to winnings ways at the weekend by destroying Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.
Omar Marmoush announced his arrival with a stunning first-half hat-trick as the Citizens ran out 4-0 winners over the Magpies to enhance aspirations of winning a place in next season’s Champions League.
It was anticipated that Newcastle would cause hassle for City. The Magpies have their own top-four ambitions but were no match for Pep Guardiola’s team who looked far more like the City of old during this comprehensive rout.
Arsene Wenger raved about Marmoush following his goal haul at the weekend. The striker was in fine form for City and it’s exciting to think what he can achieve at the football club going forward.
Ederson was praised by Joe Hart for his clean sheet during the game against Newcastle. However, it’s the performance from Marmoush that has created the hottest topic of discussion following this brilliant win for City.
Darren Bent thinks Manchester City now concede they made a transfer mistake
It came as a surprise in the summer when City accepted a bid of £81 million to sell Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. He scored 19 goals and registered 13 assists during 2023/24 as City won another Premier League title.
His departure has left City with a lack of options in reserve this season. As a result, the team have suffered a crisis by their usual high standards and are now in a fight for the top four rather than a challenge for the title.
Darren Bent has been intrigued by the decision to bring in Marmoush during the January transfer window and he believes that internally Guardiola will concede that he made a mistake during the summer.
He told The Kelly and Wrighty Show: “Marmoush looks like he’s finally the replacement for Alvarez who I think if you asked Pep he’d quietly say ‘Do you know what? I made a mistake selling him.’
“But Marmoush has come in and he looks really good.”
How Omar Marmoush compares to Julian Alvarez during 2024/25
It does feel as though signing Marmoush makes him very much a replacement for Alvarez and a very good one at that.
Marmoush was doing wonderful things with Eintracht Frankfurt and it’s no surprise that City chose to sign him in January and avoid any sort of bidding war in the summer.
| Marmoush vs Alvarez 2024/25 | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Omar Marmoush | 31 | 23 | 14 |
| Julian Alvarez | 37 | 17 | 4 |
The versatile performer – much like Alvarez – can operate anywhere across the front three and his blistering pace means that he will be a constant threat whenever he plays for City.
Marmoush joins City at a pivotal point for the club. The Premier League title might be off the table for this year but finishing the top four and lifting the FA Cup would at least see the Citizens finish the season with a flourish.
