LONDON — Omar Marmoush said this is “just the beginning” after he kick-started his Manchester City career with a 14-minute hat-trick in the 4-0 hammering of Newcastle United.
The January signing from Eintracht Frankfurt struck three times in the first half as Pep Guardiola’s men crushed one of their top-four rivals at the Etihad Stadium to climb to fourth in the English Premier League.
“Amazing day. The feeling is crazy of course, it’s the first hat-trick of my career so it’s a really, really nice feeling,” said Marmoush.
The Egyptian was in scintillating form as City recovered from their late Champions League collapse to lose to Real Madrid 3-2 at home in midweek.
“From the beginning of the match we came, from the first minute, really focused on the job and we got the job done.
“I also have to thank my teammates, my coach, the staff, everyone helped me from the first day in feeling a part of this family.
“They helped me show my qualities and helped me reach where I reached. It’s just the beginning and we are looking forward to the next games.”
The English champions has a mountain to climb when they visit Madrid on Wednesday if they are to reach the last 16 of UEFA Europe’s elite competition for the 12th consecutive season.
“He’s young and comes here to make his career. That is why the club decides. They always have the last word,” said Guardiola.
“We knew sooner or later he would score goals, he is a good finisher,” added Guardiola. “We (will) see how he handles the compliments.
“He’s a player that we missed. His movement in behind, his pace. Normally, we have the players to get the ball to feet. He’s a guy who likes to attack the space and help us to create more.
But Marmoush’s explosion gives some cause for optimism as Newcastle was blown away inside the opening 33 minutes, AFP reported.
The match had been billed as a clash between the Premier League’s two top strikers as Golden Boot rivals Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak went head-to-head.
However, they were both overshadowed as Marmoush announced his arrival to the English game.
The 26-year-old scored 20 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt this season before making a £59 million ($72.6 million) move to Manchester in January.
City was keen to add more goalscoring threats to support Haaland and the early signs are promising that the Norwegian and Marmoush can dovetail effectively.
Guardiola made six changes to freshen up his side between the Madrid double header with Marmoush one of those to come into the side.
Ederson was at fault for City’s late collapse from 2-1 to 3-2 down against the European champions on Tuesday, but made amends with his third assist of the season.
Kieran Trippier was caught underneath the Brazilian goalkeeper’s booming kick upfield and Marmoush had the simple task to lob the stranded Martin Dubravka.
That goal continued City’s run of scoring in their last 33 Premier League games against the Magpies.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0 when Ilkay Gundogan fed Marmoush inside the area, who cut inside before his deflected effort found the bottom corner.
Savinho’s pace and trickery down the right was another major positive for Guardiola and he created the third by skipping past Lewis Hall and squaring for Marmoush to fire home from close range.
City’s fragility at defending leads this season was never seriously tested as the visitors suffered another damaging defeat to their chances of a return to the Champions League next season.
Either side of reaching next month’s League Cup final, Eddie Howe’s men have lost three of their last four Premier League games to slip to seventh.
City, on the other hand, climb back into pole position for Champions League qualification despite their drastic dip in standards this season that will see an unprecedented run of four consecutive league titles almost certainly come to an end.
James McAtee came off the bench to add the fourth six minutes from time when the midfielder turned in Haaland’s flick on from a Gundogan corner.
But there was a worrying scene for City as Haaland had to be replaced in the closing stages after receiving treatment on a knee injury.
Elsewhere, A Liam Delap goal helped Ipswich Town overcome a red card for Axel Tuanzebe as they grabbed a 1-1 draw away to Aston Villa, with Ollie Watkins netting a 69th-minute equaliser for the home side.
With keeper Alex Palmer putting in a brilliant performance between the posts, the point leaves Ipswich still in the relegation zone in 18th place on 17 points, two behind Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Villa slip to ninth on 38 points.
Both sides were forced into early changes as Aston Villa defender Boubacar Kamara was replaced by Tyrone Mings and Ipswich lost winger Julio Enciso, with Jack Clarke coming on to take his place.
It took until the 25th minute before Ipswich’s Kalvin Phillips registered the game’s first shot in target.
