A much-needed response to last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Fulham and our best performance of the season as Newcastle United proved great value for a point against Man City in Saturday’s early kick off.
It’s not only a big point against the best team in the world and another result where we’ve come from behind impressively, but a really encouraging display. We were tight defensively, saw Hall’s best performance of the season, a far better balance in midfield, the return of Tonali in Howe’s 11 and Gordon back to his best, where he filled in superbly in Isak’s asbence.
There were three changes from Fulham as Hall, Tonali and Murphy replaced Kelly, Willock and Isak and we made a fast start in a first half that settled on fine margins. We came out of the traps with real purpose, showing that intensity that was totally lacking in last week’s defeat at Fulham. Our pressing game was back and we got after them from the off, overcrowding their midfield, hassling their back line and limiting service up to a largely isolated Erling Haaland.
It’s fair to say we were the better side in a much improved first half display, yet the first goal came for City. It was poor defending from Trippier, who was beaten too easily after diving in on Grealish before the winger found Gvardiol ghosting into the box. The Croatian did the rest, taking one touch before sliding past Pope and into the far corner.
Their opener just after the half hour mark took the stuffing out of a lively Newcastle start, giving City a settler in a game they’d been second best in. Nevertheless, there was plenty to take from the first 45 – Hall was superb, the midfield balance looked much better and our front three was causing problems with runs in the channels and plenty of pressure on Ederson, who was almost caught out as they attempted to play behind our press.
We very nearly went into the break level but for a big save from the City stopper, who showed sharp reflexes to parry Joelinton’s…
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/09/28/newcastle-1-1-man-city-much-improved-mags-brilliant-value-for-big-point/
Author : Olly Hawkins
Publish date : 2024-09-28 14:27:26
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