Man City starts PL title defence on winning note with 2-0 Newcastle victory

Manchester City have started with the defence of their Premier League title on a winning note as they defeated Newcastle United in their opener, thanks to David Silva and Sergio Aguero's goals.

Manuel Pellegrini's side was rarely troubled by the hosts and took the lead when midfielder Silva tucked in following a brilliant backheel by Edin Dzeko. Substitute Aguero doubled the lead with a second in stoppage time when he poked in after Tim Krul saved his initial shot. Krul also blocked a shot from Dzeko as well as Samir Nasri's drive.

That was the sum total of City's best chances during a match in which they did not have to be at their best and their keeper Joe Hart, preferred to summer recruit Willy Caballero, was rarely tested.

Pellegrini was confident enough to leave influential striker Aguero on the bench and for 32 million-pound signing Eliaquim Mangala to remain in Manchester, The BBC reported.

City dominated Newcastle from the start of the game, with Yaya Toure, the often-maligned Martin Demichelis and another newcomer Fernando first to the second ball in dangerous areas without over-exerting themselves.

In attack, Silva, who did not show his true form at the World Cup, was back to his brilliant best while Montenegro's Stevan Jovetic, frustrated by irritating injuries in his first season, was exceptional in his role as roving midfielder, the report added.