Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

"Newcastle, time-wasting again already" is the verdict of one City fan to my right, who is waving an imaginary yellow card.

Ever so slightly harsh, that, despite the Magpies' reputation for stalling play when it suited them last season.

Play is stopped within about 10 seconds for a Fabian Schar injury. He landed very awkwardly on his arm after jumping with Erling Haaland. The physios are on.

The game begins (almost three minutes late).

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, bbc s

"Campione, campione - ole ole ole" is the chant from the stands at the Etihad as the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup trophies are brought back out for the TV cameras before kick-off.

A huge banner reading 'Treble Winners' is now unfurled over pretty much the whole pitch.

Manchester United

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana speaking to Sky Sports: "No, I don't think that they were better than us. We made some mistakes second half, but football is not always about one half.

"We started the game really well, we created chances. Unfortunately we didn't score, and I think this was the key point. If we had scored in the first half it would have been a different game for sure.

On if United failed to be ruthless enough in the first half:

"Yes. Football is about scoring goals. We had some big chances and we didn't score, and in the end you pay for that.

"We have to keep calm, keep working and if we keep going how we are, in the end of the season it will be ok.

On the second half:

"I think we made some mistakes and against a great opponent you pay. I also think in the first half we were better [than Tottenham] and could have decided the game.

"We have to look back at the chances we missed, and the mistakes we made. At the end of the day every game you lose, every chance you concede, has come from a mistake somewhere.

"We are together in this. We are at a big club and we need to take the responsability. I start by looking at myself and I think that in the next game we can be better.

On mistakes the team made:

"For myself I think some of the communication with my defenders. Licha [Martinez] scored the own goal, we all know how good he is.

"Every goal [we conceded], I look at myself, my defenders, whether we can do something more.

"But mistakes are part of the game, we just have to learn from it and look forward. I'm very positive. We have to stay calm, believe and keep pushing the way we work. I know we will do it."

City could set a club record of 17 straight home victories in all competitions.

And the odds are on their side.

Their sole defeat this millennium in their opening home league game of a season was their 5-2 loss against Leicester City in 2020.

The only time in the last 41 top-flight seasons that the reigning champions have lost their first home league match was Chelsea's 3-2 defeat by Burnley in August 2017.

Pep Guardiola's side won 28 of their 30 home games in all competitions last season, scoring a total of 100 goals.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

You have to go back to September 2000 for Newcastle's last league victory at Manchester City, at their old Maine Road home.

Alan Shearer was the Toon hero that day, scoring the only goal of the game with a trademark bullet header.

Shearer won't decide the outcome this evening but, if Newcastle do end their long wait for a win, you will see him smiling again later - he is on the Match of the Day couch on BBC One from 22:20 BST.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle have not picked up a point at Manchester City since 2006.

City's only defeat in their last 31 Premier League games against Newcastle was a 2-1 loss at St James' Park in January 2019.

"We look at this game as an opportunity to be our best," said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

"I want a positive mindset from our players and our supporters. That comes with the territory of being a team that expects to win every game and it is a message I try to drill home."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Newcastle United are Premier League title contenders this season providing they can cope with the busier fixture schedule now they are playing in Europe.

"They continue to do really well for a couple of seasons and they've bought perfect players for the way they play," said Guardiola.

"They are an extraordinary team. Playing three times a week is different to once a week; if they can handle the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, they are contenders."

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has just scored his second goal of the game in Almeria-Real Madrid.

Follow the live text here.

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

There was a party here the last time City played at Etihad Stadium - 90 days ago, when they lifted the Premier League trophy - and they have gone on to collect three more bits of silverware since: at Wembley, and in Istanbul and Athens.

It’s their home form which is the bedrock of their current dominance, though. They last failed to win here when they drew with Everton on 31 December 2022 and followed that with victory in 16 successive home games in all competitions in 2023.

The sight of City’s spiral staircases does not bring much joy to Newcastle hearts, however. They have never won here in the Premier League since City moved from Maine Road in 2003… and since getting a 0-0 draw in November 2006, have lost on their past 14 league visits.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou to BBC Sport Match of the Day: "It was good. It was fair to say we looked a bit nervous at the start which wasn't surprising. We had two 20-year-olds, a couple of 22-year-olds out there. So I thought we gave the ball away a little bit too much and to be fair Man Utd probably had the better of the chances.

"I like the fact that we hang in there and worked our way into the game. Second half, certainly in spells, it kind of showed the team we want to be. I keep saying we're still a long way to go but I really liked the belief and resilience the guys have and the bravery they have to continue playing that way.

"I guess from my perspective, when you have quite a few young quality players it's great, it allows us to build with this young group. I thought the experienced guys today, Son [Heung-min] and [James] Maddison were great as well.

"The support was outstanding today, right from the first whistle the crowd were outstanding. They carried us through the first half because we were nervy.

"I'm happy. We're showing bits of our game today. I saw enough today in our game that encourages me. All we can do is keep improving and hopefully we're picking up points along the way."

Chris Sutton
BBC football expert

Image source, .

Newcastle threw a lot at City at the start of last season when they drew 3-3 at St James' Park and I think they will cause them lots of problems this time too.

City have not been near their very best so far this season, but still beat Burnley and overcame Sevilla on penalties to win the Uefa Super Cup.

Eddie Howe's side will ask very different questions to both of those sides and I am expecting another really good game.

I was tempted to go with a draw here because City played in midweek, but they are at home and they should come out on top, just about.

Newcastle are good, but they are not that good... although, as a fan, Anish should really be saying they will win.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport at Etihad Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

The stadium announcer at the Etihad has referred to the home team as 'the Treble winners' about 1,000 times since the turnstiles opened tonight but you can understand his excitement - this is City's first opportunity to show off the three trophies they won last season, and there is a long queue of people lining up to get their photos taken with them on the side of the pitch before kick-off.

There is no sign of the Uefa Super Cup just yet but I guess City don't want to rub Newcastle's noses in it too much - their last trophy win was 68 hours ago, while the Toon Army's wait for major silverware is.... slightly longer than that.

Manchester City

Man City boss Pep Guardiola on TNT Sports: "I'm so happy [to win the Super Cup], it is the past, onto the next.

"I hope the team is ready. Happy to be back at home and to start the season here. [Josko Gvardiol] needs time; after Newcastle we have a long week, then after Sheffield United we'll know each other better. Nathan Ake played in the final and we didn't want to take a risk with him.

"Julian [Alvarez] was not fit for the final but was outstanding in pre-season. He is fresh, we need Cole [Palmer] to change the game second half.

"It is a huge game, we saw how good Newcastle are against Aston Villa. In a short time they've put the club in the position they want to be and they'll stay there. The quality is there and it'll be a challenge.

"We start at zero. We have to win it again."

Sash: I know nothing about the club should surprise me anymore, but struggling to understand how Spurs without Kane are head and shoulders above United in every single department...

London: Harry Who ?

Prince: Obviously a coach and a clear playing plan/style. But, maybe Kane was part of the problem too. Who remembers the CL final Kane started ahead of Moura?

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on Final Score

I don't fear for City at all.

This will be a test for them, Eddie Howe will not go there with Newcastle and just let them have the ball, they will challenge them.

But I do always think that City find a way.

Yes De Bruyne is out but Rodri has been outstanding, Gvardiol is a great signing, they will be just fine.

Ange Postecoglou is unbeaten in his last 49 home league games as a manager across spells with Yokohama F. Marinos, Celtic and current club Spurs (W41 D8).

His last defeat came in November 2020 with Yokohama against Kashima Antlers in the J1 League.

Image source, Reuters

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on Final Score

I think Newcastle will go to the Etihad with a little bit of belief, and it could be a statement of intent.

I don't think they'll sit back like most teams do, they'll be strong and go about their business the way they like to.

They will have a go at Man City and ask questions.