Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola thinks Ferran Torres can become the Premier League champions' new number nine. 

The Spanish international scored his first hat-trick as they edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3 against Newcastle last night. City's victory was a record 12th consecutive English top-flight away win.

Sergio Aguero is due to depart the Etihad on a free transfer this summer and Guradiola feels Torres has all the attributes to lead the line for them next season.

"Not just this evening, of course this evening was important, but his first season in England and his numbers are exceptional.

"He came as a winger, but he has to think about being a striker. When Sergio, Gabriel were out, he was there. He scored against Leeds and Crystal Palace. He didn't have many minutes, but when he played, he had a sense of goal.

"Yeah, he can be number nine. We will use him, we used him and he was brilliant. His rhythm, especially defensively he has improved a lot. The game at Palace, he makes a turn - so good. The movement he makes as a striker, for the third goal, it hits the bar and where it goes, he knew it.

"The smell, the strikers know, intuitively where it will arrive. He has this talent and the first goal is fantastic. Very pleased."