28 September 2024
Newcastle 1 Man City 1
Newcastle welcomed Man City to St James’ Park boasting an unbeaten home record since the last time Pep Guardiola’s side rolled into town, back in January. With the visitors having lost Rodri to injury for the rest of the season, it seemed a good time to play them. That said, Haaland had been scoring goals for fun so far this season.
With De Bruyne still out for the visitors, their midfield seemed to be missing of lot of key players. It was a packed-house as ever for The Magpies, who got to see Tonali back in the first-team since last October. Odds were favouring a City win but the Italian is not about that life any more. Eddie Howe’s team were looking to make a statement in the early kick-off.
Gundogan slid a pass in behind the defence into the path of Haaland. The in-form striker opted for a first-time shot but it was tame by his standards. Not that Pope was complaining as he gathered it easily. Grealish was looking busy down the left and giving Trippier a bit of nightmare with his close control and skills. It was going to be a tough test for the England full-back.
Having been left out of the Euros squad, Grealish has a point to prove this season. He skipped past his marker and played the ball into the feet of Gvardiol. The Croatian defender feigned a shot with his left, sending the defender to the shops, then drilled the ball into the far corner to silence the majority of St James’ Park. It was a striker’s finish, that is for sure.
The Magpies were struggling to get into the game and ask any questions of Man City. Ederson had just been a spectator for the majority of the first half. Gundogan fouled Trippier near the halfway line and it gave the hosts the chance to send their big defenders forward. The home fans started to make the ground a cauldron of noise once again.
As the ball was drifted towards the box, it dropped kindly to Joelinton. He got a shot off at goal and it required a good reaction save from Ederson to keep it out. Guardiola’s side struggled to clear the ball in the first piece of defending they had really had to do. The Magpies recycled it and Barnes tried to cut it back from the byline but it was deflected out for a corner. This came to nothing.
In the first attack after the interval, as the ball was worked out wide, Tonali fell to the ground holding his chest. Play was stopped but as the replay showed, Grealish barely caught him with a stray elbow. The Italian midfielder was making a meal of the contact, trying to con the referee. VAR reviewed the incident but agreed there was nothing doing.
The first opportunity the hosts created saw a pass slotted through the middle to Gordon. He used his pace to beat the tracking defenders and looked to take the ball around the advancing Ederson. As he did, he went to ground and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. It is questionable how much contact there was from the keeper but nevertheless, VAR refused to overturn the decision.
Gordon stepped up to take it and sent the Man City keeper the wrong way as his shot nestled into the goal. Guardiola looked furious on the touchline and seemed to be suggesting that it was never a penalty. He is not having a good time with officials of late and may be striking some names off his Christmas card list as we speak.
Tonali then looked to turn away and break but Kovacic’s challenge caught him on the ankle. Once again the Italian went down like his football career was over. The referee showed the Croatian a yellow card but fortunately for The Magpies’ fans, their midfielder made a miraculous recovery. Things were not going the way of the visitors at this stage.
The free kick was lofted towards the box and flicked on by Schar. As Joelinton looked to get to the ball, he went to ground but the referee was not interested. There had been slight contact but not enough to send the Newcastle midfielder to the floor. In the build-up Tonali and Grealish had a bit of moment with one another and were both shown a yellow card for the incident.
Howe’s side were growing in confidence and putting the champions under some real pressure. Murphy broke free down the right and picked out Longstaff in the box, who was completely unmarked. He took the shot on first time but it was always curling away from the goal. Big chance for The Magpies to take all three points in this game.
Savinho then picked out Foden on the edge of the box. His pass to Silva was taken on the chest by the Portuguese midfielder, before turning and volleying a shot towards the top corner. Only the athleticism of Pope was able to deny Man City a winner. As a result, the points were shared. It gave the chasing pack a big chance to gain some points on Pep Guardiola’s team.
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