HAVING watched Manchester City scoop their first trophy of the season in midweek, Eddie Howe didn't learn anything new about tonight's opponents but the Super Cup victory did tell him one thing - there'll be no complacency from the treble winners as Newcastle prepare for the ultimate early challenge in their Premier League campaign.

The Magpies top the Premier League table after their opening weekend dismantling of Aston Villa but Pep Guardiola's side are strong favourites to again be at the summit come the end of the season.

It says much about the confidence in the Newcastle camp, however, that they won't walk out at the Etihad tonight (8pm kick-off) looking to contain the champions of Europe; rather, says Howe, the visitors will be out to impose themselves.

"I think we want our players to go there with all the positive emotions our season last year and our first game this season should bring," said Howe.

"We're looking at this game as an opportunity to be at our best. We have to be aware of Manchester City's strengths and stop those but we also have to be ourselves. We can't change. We want to be a top team consistently in the Premier League and to do that we need a clear identity."

City's rivals might well have hoped that their success last season in winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup will lead to them taking their eyes off the ball this term - but Howe doesn't sense anything of the sort.

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He said: "They're the standard bearers of where other teams need to get to.

"I saw a team (in the Super Cup) hugely motivated to win, which is the biggest compliment I can pay on the back of the treble. They went into a tough game and were desperate to win. They won't be complacent, they'll be ready for us."

Having played on Wednesday, Guardiola is frustrated with the scheduling of tonight's game and Howe sympathises with his opposite number.

He said: "Absolutely, especially as they were the only team playing in midweek but we'd love that problem for ourselves because they've won the Champions League - the ultimate competition to win. I do feel for him in a sense of the scheduling but there's nothing we can do about that."