Marmoush hat-trick lifts Man City into EPL top 4 as Fulham beat N’Forest

Omar Marmoush scored his first Manchester City goals with a first-half hat-trick to beat Newcastle 4-0 and send the champions back into the Premier League’s top four on Saturday.

Egypt forward Marmoush arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt during the January transfer window.

Marmoush ended a run of four games without a goal in the 19th minute as he sprinted onto Ederson’s long kick and deftly lobbed Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.

Five minutes later, Marmoush found the back of the net again with a powerful blast that took a deflection off Kieran Trippier as it whistled past Dubravka.

The 26-year-old forward wasn’t done, and he completed his 14-minute hat-trick in the 33rd minute.

Savinho’s pass found Marmoush in the Newcastle area and he was granted time and space to slot home for the first treble of his career.

James McAtee’s 84th minute volley capped a much-needed boost for City after Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League play-off round first leg.

But there was a scare for City when Norway striker Erling Haaland was forced off with a potential knee injury in the closing stages.

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Now fourth in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s men head to Madrid on Wednesday needing a second-leg revival to avoid European elimination.

Seventh-placed Newcastle are three points adrift of the top four in the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Third-placed Nottingham Forest also slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

Emile Smith Rowe netted in the 15th minute for Fulham and although Chris Wood equalised in the 37th minute, Calvin Bassey’s header sealed the points in the 62nd minute.

Bournemouth are up to fifth as their unlikely bid to qualify for the Champions League gathered pace with a 3-1 win at bottom of the table Southampton.

Ten-man Ipswich held on for a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.

Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe was sent off just before half-time after earning a second yellow card for a foul on Jacob Ramsey.

Liam Delap put Ipswich ahead from Omari Hutchinson’s 56th minute cross, but Ollie Watkins tapped in the equaliser after Marcus Rashford’s free-kick hit the bar in the 69th minute.

Kevin Schade’s fourth-minute goal clinched Brentford’s 1-0 win at West Ham.

The Star