Manchester City registered the first win of the Guardiola era by defeating Sunderland by two goals to one thanks to an own goal from Black Cats substitute Paddy McNair.
Facing David Moyes’ Sunderland was also going to be a tricky fixture for Guardiola’s men to kick off their campaign, with the Black Cats coming into the match unbeaten in pre-season. Guardiola’s decision to play Aleksandar Kolarov at the back alongside John Stones seemed to have backfired, as the game headed towards a draw. That was before Sunderland’s new signing Paddy McNair gifted the Citizens the winner through an own goal after being brought on late into the game.
The fans raised question marks over the selection of Kolarov in the centre of the defence as well as the decision to drop Joe Hart from the starting lineup.
Manchester City pic.twitter.com/cy2pG2w20f
— Football Memes (@FootballMemesCo) August 13, 2016
Manchester City and Pep off to a winning start….just.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 13, 2016
The more I think about this Joe Hart situation the more absurd it seems. Pick your best goalkeeper. Let the other ten use their feet. #MCFC
— Ian Ladyman (@Ian_Ladyman_DM) August 13, 2016
Hart has reportedly been dropped because he sarcastically offered Pep Guardiola a bottle of shampoo during training. pic.twitter.com/XpHV8YBjIY
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) August 13, 2016
Pep dropped Hart because Hart advertises a product which cleans something pep doesn’t have pic.twitter.com/pRz3ejycLv
— 90thMin (@90thMin) August 13, 2016
Joe Hart is hugely overrated. When Robinson, Green, etc, made mistakes, press crucified them. Hart is immune somehow https://t.co/KaCJZeDqx4
— Jon Primett (@Jon_Primett) August 14, 2016
Aleksandar Kolarov playing at centre back.
The Pep revolution has begun. pic.twitter.com/vljPR5MmPN
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 13, 2016
Even if Guardiola wins three straight trebles at City, he will always be the man who started with *Aleksandar Kolarov* at *centre-back*.
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JackPittBrooke) August 13, 2016
Hart dropped ?
Yaya Toure not in the squad ?
Stones debut alongside Kolarov ?
Silva in centre-midfield ?Pep ? pic.twitter.com/fQuDkMI1Ma
— bet365 (@bet365) August 13, 2016
Some took the time to compare Schweinsteiger’s situation at Man Utd to Yaya’s treatment at City.
Yaya Toure is Schweinsteiger. He just doesn’t know it yet.
— Wellington (@kodart_) August 13, 2016
Pep should be in jail for how he’s treating Yaya Toure, someone who has actually done and won something for the club he’s in. Right media?
— Just Joe. (@SmallingsVoice) August 13, 2016
Aguero was the first goalscorer for Guardiola and fans were quick to point out the quality and importance of the striker for the club’s title prospects.
Sergio Aguero’s 2016 in the Premier League:
19 appearances
18 goalsUnrivalled. pic.twitter.com/Qq8mHdMGTt
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 13, 2016
When you have Aguero in your fantasy team and he scores a hat trick. https://t.co/NFupzViKMZ
— Leon (@DeadlyRaheem) August 13, 2016
When you’ve got Aguero in your fantasy team… #MCISUN pic.twitter.com/c9NAX6U3mM
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) August 13, 2016
3 – Sergio Aguero has scored three goals and assisted two more in his last three Premier League appearances against Sunderland. Pest.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 13, 2016
Meanwhile, people were quick to troll McNair for costing Sunderland a point against Manchester City, despite the Black Cats putting up a great fight. Others questioned Moyes’ decision to bring the defender on.
Moyes looking for the Paddy McNair receipt
Sorry Sunderland we don’t give refunds pic.twitter.com/dXsxWdZsUP
— Totally Man Utd™ (@TotallyMUFC) August 13, 2016
83′ Paddy McNair comes on for his Sunderland debut
87′ Paddy McNair scores an own goal
Paddy McNightmare. pic.twitter.com/iwhMTbAYxg
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 13, 2016
Paddy McNair became a Man City legend yesterday.
— Dafidi (@Molade87) August 14, 2016
David Moyes just keeps on giving.. Brings on McNair to score winner in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/CPOHSyPBxV
— blue billy bstard (@ivanfooty4all) August 14, 2016
David moyes putting McNair on at the 83rd min to see the game out 87 min scores a own goal . Football genius that bloke
— Luke Stewart (@lukestewart37) August 14, 2016