Newcastle United fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against reigning champions Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday evening. 

Julian Alvarez's first-half goal was enough to separate the two sides, with the Toon struggling to really trouble home goalkeeper Ederson in what was a dominant display from the Citizens. 

The Toon, fresh from their opening game thrashing of Aston Villa, arrived at the Etihad in confident mood but were undone by a moment of brilliance from Pep Guardiola's side just after the half-hour mark. 

Phil Foden, who dazzled throughout, collected an incisive pass from Mateo Kovacic and fed Alvarez, with the young Argentine beating Nick Pope with a brilliant strike that found the top corner. 

Howe's side struggled to cope with the electric English midfielder all night long and he was close to registering a second assist of the game when he played Erling Haaland in on goal, but the Norwegian had a rare off-night in front of goal and put his shot wide of Pope's post. 

It was the same story again in the second half, with Foden finding Haaland after some delightful interplay, but the striker dragged his shot off target once again. 

Newcastle could and perhaps should have punished City's wastefulness in front of goal when Callum Wilson found himself running at Josko Gvardiol with two options to his right, but he failed to make it count.

Bruno Guimaraes also fluffed his lines when he picked up the ball in space just outside the area, on a night where chances were few and far between for Howe's side. 

However, they would limit City to just one goal and while Howe will be disappointed with the defeat, it shows that the Toon can compete with the very best, with Liverpool up next at St James' Park on Sunday.