NUFC player ratings vs Man City – One 7, several 6s, a few 5s and a host of disappointing 4s

A really frustrating display from Newcastle at the Etihad, where we failed to convert a couple of big chances and conceded two out of nowhere to hand City a 2-0 win.

Here come the ratings from our defeat in Manchester:

Nick Pope – 6 – His positioning a little bit questionable for the second goal and distribution pretty mixed, but he did make a great save in the second half low down to his right to deny Foden. Great to see him back in-between the sticks.

Kieran Trippier – 4 – Probably one of his worst performances since he joined the club. Started awfully, giving the ball away in the City half in the first minute of the match, leading to a City chance Gundogan headed over. Gave the ball away on too many occasions, especially for their second goal, and his set piece delivery was well below his best, failing to beat the first man on a few occasions. Really poor performance this afternoon and a rare rough patch for our vice captain. Did head across goal to set up Wilson’s wasted chance, but struggled to cope with Grealish and didn’t get things going in the final third.

Jamaal Lascelles – 7 – I thought our club captain was really solid today, especially considering it’s his first start since August. Superb aerially and kept Haaland quiet all afternoon. Made a brilliant sliding tackle on the Norwegian in the first half to stop him breaking through on goal. Really solid performance and can hold his head up high, our best player on the day by some distance.

Sven Botman – 4 – Will have been really disappointed with his performance. Could’ve done better for the first goal, letting Foden get his shot away and looked static for the second goal also. Really struggled to pop the ball into midfield today too, giving it away in poor areas three or four times.

Dan Burn – 4 – His limitations in possession being horribly exposed in the last few games. Foden gave him hell in the first half, gliding past him on too many occasions. Got into a scuffle with Grealish in the second half and booked for a lash out. Would expect Targett to replace him against Wolves next weekend.

Sean Longstaff – 5 – Played a beautiful pass over the top to Trippier in the first half, creating a huge chance for Wilson, however he took too long to get his own shot off in the same half, allowing Ake to make a block. Works hard, keeps things ticking and is brave in the tackle, but sometimes wants too much time on the ball and gets caught.

Bruno Guimaraes – 6 – Kept things together in the middle of our midfield, but seemed to have the wrong boots on today, slipping and sliding his way around the Etihad pitch. Lacked support from his teammates at times and looked reluctant to release the ball as quickly as normal, often due to the lack of options ahead of him. Appeared to be struggling with his ankle all afternoon, limping and gingerly running around the pitch most of the match. Expect to see him back to his best shortly.

Joelinton – 5 – Missed a sitter in the second half, air balling his effort from a wonderful cross. Booked for a late foul on Rodri in the second half which will cause him to miss the next two games. Struggled to match the quality of City’s midfield but put himself about physically which we’ve come to expect.

Miguel Almiron – 4 – Game totally past him by and he looked a shadow of his all-action best. I was surprised to see him start this afternoon and perhaps Howe will regret that. Can’t remember him creating anything of note and Ake dealt with him with ease. His purple patch has seemed to have come to an end and even the relentless pressing is now dwindling slightly.

Anthony Gordon – 6 – Looked sharp in patches during the first half especially, drifting in off the left hand side with penetrative running. Broke through on goal in the first half but air balled his left foot effort. Looked a little naive positionally from a defensive points of view, allowing too much space for Foden on the right hand side on a few too many occasions. Lacked a bit of support from Burn and didn’t get nearly enough service to get at Walker. Taken off on the hour mark as appeared a little tired and wasn’t really in the game.

Callum Wilson – 4 – Looked really sluggish all afternoon. Miss hit the ball for a massive chance in the first half which pretty much sums up his form in front of goal at the moment. Didn’t hold the hall up particularly well but did create a big chance for Longstaff in the first half. Struggling badly for form at the moment and would expect Isak to start over him against Wolves next week. In truth, our £60m man should’ve started today.

SUBS:

Alexander Isak – 6 – Looked sharp coming off the bench, making plenty of runs in behind the City defence. Looked far more lively than Wilson, but we didn’t get the ball to him enough and conceded against the run of play soon after he came on. Beat Ake with a wonderful bit of skill on the byline but cross could’ve been a bit better. Has to start against Wolves.

Allan Saint-Maximin – 5 – Plenty of direct running and skilful dribbling but perhaps could’ve got a shot away in the second half following a Jacob Murphy cut back. Sometimes guilty of getting his head down and taking too long to release the ball. Would’ve been disappointed to not start the game following a promising performance against Manchester United in the final.

Joe Willock – 6 – Created a big chance for Joelinton with a brilliant cross and offered some direct running to a right-hand side that didn’t pose a threat prior to his introduction. Will return to the side next weekend with Joelinton banned.

Jacob Murphy – 6 – A real bright spark off the bench, whipping two wonderfully dangerous crosses that we should’ve made the most of. Looked really direct and offered more than the man he replaced, Almiron. Cannot fault the man’s enthusiasm.

Matt Targett – N/A – Great to see him back for the last ten minutes.