Craig Bellamy was delighted with his goal scoring debut for Manchester City in their victory over Newcastle United.

Bellamy admitted he found the lone striker's role difficult, telling City's website: "I've played that role once or twice, and I don't do too well in it usually! I'm not really a lone striker, but I don't believe I've ever had the quality of players like Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland as a three behind me. I'm fortunate and it makes me look capable of playing it.

"When you play with players as good as that it makes it easier. At times I have to play in the centre, but I like to drop deep or wide, and we can interchange. The top teams do that, but when we have not got the ball we have to close down and that's what I tried to do as well. In the first half I thought we were exceptional at that."

City's supporters also earned Craig's thanks, as he adds: "They were very good to me, and I really appreciated that. There's a bit of hysteria that surrounds me, I had to earn the right at West Ham and win them over, so here I am very thankful for the way the fans treated me."