Can Manchester City Be Championship Material?

On a weekend that saw Chelsea and Manchester United clearly unveil their full intentions for the championship this season, Manchester City took on Newcastle United in the first Monday night game of the season knowing that they needed to at least match those two if they were to be considered championship contenders.

Indeed, with their first game against one of two aforementioned teams only till September, and a fixture list until then consisting of teams who will probably be satisfied with Premier League survival come May, Pellegrini knew that his men in blue had to make hay while the sun shine.

And against a determined Newcastle side, they showed their full qualities, taking charge of the game with a stunning start against the Magpies. Manchester City should have been at least 3-0 up with 20 minutes gone but for the excellent Tim Krul.

Alas, with names like Edin Dzeko, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure in your team along with the soul of Sevilla's team, Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo, Manchester City were expected to dominate in their first game at home, which they did.

In the end, a 1-0 and 9-0 scoreline still gets you only 3 points in football and the 4-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of City's performance on the opening day. What the scoreline didn't show was the immense depth City once again have which will mean they will be tough to usurp from the top two as well as the new found style that the rich owners have always wanted them to have them play particularly with the talent they have.

Pellegrini is off to a good start at the Etihad

Pellegrini will be charged with winning only City's second title in many years - as well as improving on City's dire record in the Champions League - and on this evidence, the blue moon could once again be on the rise and the title might very well again be heading to the blue rather than red half of Manchester.

Did Taylor "swing" at Aguero? 

As for Newcastle, they were always set for a hiding and Steven Taylor's extremely harsh red card didn't help things. They now must return to Tyneside and ensure they win their first home game of the season or face yet another nervous run-in to the season. Pardew and Kinnear have a fight on their hands in particular to keep the likes of Hatem ben Arfa, Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye from the rest of the Premier League - that trio will be key for Newcastle's ambitions to be a top ten club at the very least.