City had won 27 of their previous 28 games when they scored first but, after Ilkay Gundogan’s first goal, that record looked in jeopardy as they fell behind 3-1 through a display of intensity and attacking intent described as “brilliant answer” by Eddie Howe. Allan Saint-Maximin scored all three of Newcastle’s goals as City found it impossible to cope with the winger’s pace and power, having first set up Miguel Almiron to equalize with a diving header which was initially ruled out for offside before intervention VAR. After a flurry of forwards, Saint-Maximin found Callum Wilson for the second, with the striker beating Ruben Dias before firing past Ederson. Kieran Trippier then grabbed a third with a stunning free-kick after Saint-Maximin was fouled by John Stones. But City, unbeaten in the Premier League since February, did not go down without a fight and were given a lifeline when Erling Haaland headed home from a corner, before Bernardo Silva finished off a piece of genius from Kevin De Bruyne to level things up. again. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Bernardo Silva equalizes for Manchester City after a Kevin De Bruyne set-piece. The drama wasn’t limited to the goals, with Trippier red-carded by referee Jared Gillette for a high challenge on De Bruyne, but VAR kicked in again and the decision was downgraded to a booking and neither team could find another late success. as a pulsating match at St James’ Park ended in a draw. “It was an incredible game, a rollercoaster of emotions during the game,” Howe told Sky Sports after the match. “We go one-nil down and it’s the worst possible start against this team because then you have to chase the game and potentially leave open spaces, but the players responded brilliantly to that. “We scored some great goals, I was absolutely delighted with the effort and commitment, everything the players gave. I’m sure for the neutrals it was an incredible game, for us as managers you were torn because we were 3-1 up and you We desperately want to win, but we needed something from the game and I think the players deserved that.”
Player Ratings
Newcastle: Pope (8), Trippier (7), Schar (6), Botman (5), Burn (6), Guimaraes (7), Joelinton (7), Willock (7), Almiron (7), Wilson (7), Saint-Maximin (9). Subs: Wood (6), Longstaff (6), Murphy, Krafth (n/a). City of Manchester: Ederson (6), Walker (5), Stones (5), Ake (6), Cancelo (7), Gungodan (7), Rodry (7), De Bruyne (8), Foden (6), Haaland (7) , Silver (7). Subs:Jupiter (5). Player of the Match: Allain Saint-Maximin.
How Newcastle came so close to beating Manchester City
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Ilkay Gundogan was left unmarked by the Newcastle defence, allowing him to fire Manchester City into an early lead at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe admitted before the game his side’s attacking intent can leave holes at the back and City dealt them an early blow when Gundogan was left unmarked to head home Silva’s cross to beat Nick Pope with the second touch. But that mentality would serve Newcastle better as the game wore on, with their fluid counter-attacks cutting City down at will once they found their stride. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Miguel Almiron’s equalizer for Newcastle is allowed to stand after VAR overturned the initial offside call. Saint-Maximin was left with Rodri and Kyle Walker on him in the rally for the home side’s equaliser, but beat them both before crossing for Almiron to glance home at the back post. An offside flag cut short the Paraguayan’s celebrations, but a VAR review immediately ruled it out and brought St James’ Park to their feet. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Callum Wilson completes Newcastle’s first-half turnaround, putting them 2-1 up. Wilson’s second also owed much to the Frenchman’s direct run, who turned inside Walker and drove forward before feeding the striker, whose superb first touch took him away from Dias before firing past the exposed Enderson. Newcastle’s half-time lead was well deserved but felt fragile until Trippier doubled their advantage with a free-kick reminiscent of his World Cup strike against Croatia in 2018 – again after a Saint-Maximin run. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Kieran Trippier with a stunning free kick made it 3-1 in Newcastle. Haaland, who had earlier been denied by a stunning save from Pope to send a shot onto the post, would bring City back into contention six minutes later when a corner was kept alive at the back post. A touch of class from De Bruyne provided the next twist to a roller-coaster afternoon, picking out Silva in the box with a pinpoint pass from deep to equalise. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Erling Haaland finishes from close range to bring Manchester City back into the game and make it 3-2. Trippier was shown a straight red card for a knee-deep trip on the Belgian, which threatened to turn the match in City’s favor, until Gillette visited the pitch monitor and awarded him a yellow. After that moment of redemption, Newcastle held firm to secure an impressive point against the Premier League champions and extend their own unbeaten start in the process. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Kieran Tripper’s red card is downgraded to a yellow after VAR took a look at his foul on Kevin De Bruyne.
Analysis: Two points dropped, but positive all around
Sky Sports’ Ron Walker: “On the one hand, both Newcastle and Manchester City had different reasons to be disappointed to get the draw at St James’ Park when at different points they would have expected all three. “But on the other hand, there were positives for both camps from a memorable game for the neutrals, as both teams showed their technical and mental abilities throughout the 90 minutes. “There’s a reason City came into the game with 27 wins from their previous 28 games when they scored first. Once they go forward, they don’t take their foot off the gas. A lot of teams wilt under the pressure, but Newcastle stood strong after opening the fifth minute Ilkay Gundogan. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Nick Pope stops Erling Haaland one-on-one to prevent Manchester City from equalizing. “They stuck to the positive game plan promised by Eddie Howe before kick-off, didn’t allow Manchester City to dictate the game and instead completed a worthy first-half upset with a display of clinical but superb counter-attacking football. “Kieran Trippier and Allain Saint-Maximin both spoke of their disappointment at the result when they spoke to Sky Sports after the game, but in the cold light of day Newcastle will reflect on a great performance when they make the most of their own qualities against on a technically superior side. “For City, while there will be concerns about Newcastle’s first-half dominance in midfield, they are well aware of the dangers of their style on the break and Pep Guardiola will not be overly concerned. “He will be impressed – though again not surprised – by how they came through a major early-season test, however, fighting back the momentum at a raucous St James’ Park to salvage a point. “With the quality of Erling Haaland’s position and runs and Kevin De Bruyne’s form peaking, the first three games have given Pep a lot to be positive about at the Etihad and no team will go through the season without dropping points – City are just as much the team to beat as they were at 4.30pm.
‘Pope brings calm to Newcastle’
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given shares his thoughts on Nick Pope’s impressive performance against Manchester City after making some key saves against the champions. Shay Given on Sky Sports: “I would expect him to make a lot of saves. He’s a tall goalkeeper, so sometimes it’s easier to save with your feet than with your hands. “It’s off to a great start and…
