A narrow defeat on Saturday night for Newcastle United, who struggled to lay a glove on Man City as our trip to the Etihad ended 1-0 to the champions.
After a stunning start to the new season last weekend, we struggled to impose ourselves on the Guardiola’s side. Following a timid first half featuring a brilliant strike from Julian Alvarez, the lads couldn’t quite create a clear cut chance in an improved but ultimately frustrating second 45.
We were competitive, defended well and had patches of decent play, just never REALLY looked like scoring against a City side who edged us out in all departments. A frustrating night and drop-off from last weekend, but it shows how far we’ve come when a 1-0 defeat at the Etihad may have been applauded by previous regimes.
The result leaves us 6th in the table, behind the likes of Liverpool, Spurs, Brentford and Brighton after all four enjoyed big wins earlier in the day.
As expected, Eddie Howe named the same side that beat Aston Villa 5-1 last weekend, meaning the likes of Wilson, Barnes, Longstaff and Anderson remained on the bench:
STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon
SUBS: Dubravka, Lascelles, Wilson, Ritchie, Targett, Barnes, Livramento, Anderson, Longstaff
Man City didn’t create any chance of note in the opening 15 minutes, but we were surrendering possession too easily and struggling to get a foothold in the game; as so many sides do when they come to the Etihad.
After a scrappy start, we grew into the game and began having more of the ball leading up to the 20-minute mark, with our midfield finally getting a foot on the ball and feeding our front three. This didn’t last long, however, as there were too many moments were we won back possession well or picked the ball up thanks to a slack City pass, only to give it away immediately, with the likes of Almiron, Trippier and Gordon guilty of a few cheap giveaways in the first half an hour.
We had been defending well, but were undone by a stunning finish from Julian Alvarez, who fired into the top corner after a slick pass from Phil Foden found the unmarked Argentinian. He still had lots to do, yet his strike was inch-perfect and smashed into the top corner beyond Nick Pope. A great finish but he was given too much space and punished us emphatically.
Alexander Isak looked far too isolated up top and we were being beaten at our own game, at times, with Man City swarming all over our black and white shirts and giving us no time to settle on the ball. Ultimately, they showed their class on and off the ball and headed into the break 1-0 up. We work to do if we wanted to leave Manchester with a result.
We had to impose ourselves on City in the second half, with our all-action approach and high press barely evident in a first half Guardiola’s side controlled. Alvarez went into the book just 20 seconds into the restart and we were seeing more of the ball in the opening stages of the second 45, with Gordon having one effort blocked and another sliced over after some much improved approach play.
It was good to see us being much braver on the ball and pushing City back, although there was an injury concern 10 minutes into the restart as Joelinton hobbled off shortly after a cynical trip on Foden. A double change followed, as the Brazilian – along with the already booked Gordon – were replaced by Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff.
It didn’t take Barnes long to go into the book for a tug back on Walker, then Schar came to our rescue moments later for a brilliant last ditch tackle to stop Haaland making it 2-0. At the other end, it wasn’t Miguel Almiron’s night, with the Paraguayan following a few cheap first-half giveaways with a wasteful pass to Trippier just as we got ourselves into a good position.
Soon after, another Foden burst left out midfield for dead before feeding Haaland. The big striker sent Botman the wrong way but dragged his effort beyond the far post, then had another effort seconds later; this time blocked by Pope’s outstretched leg.
An opening came our way on the break, as Almiron fed Bruno who broke to the edge of the box in space, but his effort was scuffed and dribbled well wide. Another double change followed from Howe, as Callum Wilson and Elliot Anderson came on for Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali, with the former struggling to get into the game and the latter on a booking.
We had a chance on the counter with 20 minutes remaining as Wilson broke on the counter, but our No 9 didn’t make the most of it, with the attack fizzling out with a long range strike from Barnes straight at Ederson. It was our biggest opening from open play but we didn’t make the most of it.
Anderson injected some life into our midfield and we were coming on strong as we edged towards the final 10 minutes. Promising signs against a City side beginning to fade, yet we were living dangerously as the home side threatened to release Haaland on the counter each time they turned the ball over. Saying that, I thought Schar and Botman dealt with the big man brilliantly.
Tino Livramento then came on for his Newcastle debut on 86 minutes, replacing the energetic Almiron who failed to make any major impact down the right, with his final ball often letting him down.
Five minutes were added on and it seemed we’d ran out of steam, with the champions holding on to secure a 1-0 win. Not the classic many were hoping for and a slightly frustrating night, but we weren’t far off where we needed to be and will learn a lot in defeat here, with City’s control and quality winning the day in the end.
Next up, a meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at St James’ Park next Sunday.
Manc are and today were the better team and took their chance when it came. Newcastle worked hard to create but rarely.
Pope, schar and botman standout players imo, which tells a story.
So a home win against villa .. need to beat competitors .. and an away loss against manc .. expected outcome.
Early Indication is that nufc probably in the 3rd to 8th mix this season.
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
No body is beating city at the etihad this season. Top 4. We mangled villa. And we will show liverpool up next sunday. City are treble winners for a reason. Up the mags #top 3/4
Davey(Quote)
I think we have to say, we were beaten by the better team. Foden is some player. Let’s take out our revenge and frustration on Liverpool next week!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yeah, I’d love that, to coin a phrase .
kimtoon(Quote)
I’ve seen a lot worse at City. They were the better team but not by as much as usual. I’m still unsure on Gordon while Anderson looks a right spark. Another toughy coming up next which I’d truly like to win!
georgio(Quote)
Well, nearly time for the Lionesses so here’s hoping they can win.
C’mon ladies, bring the 🏆home.
kimtoon(Quote)
Ok after the initial disappointment of last night, I’m not going to dwell on it. I liked what Howe said after the game. Some managers post match comments can sound grateful to keep the score down or that we didn’t get embarrassed.
Howe acknowledged we were sloppy & the final pass was poor – he knows we can do better and I’ll take that.
I thought Bruno was off pace again. Sport a haircut like that & you need to be backing it up. My concern, the longer it goes on is, is this there something going on in the background – is there someone in for him or is there issues with his contract talks.
I thought the issues with Miggy are highlighted against the better teams who don’t sit off but instead get tight to him. Not having a right foot makes him easy to defend against.
I’m not writing him off, I’m just saying his weaknesses are exposed against the better sides.
To the positives.
Defensively, other than the goal I thought we were pretty solid. I thought Botman & Schar played well.
I thought Anderson was very good when he came on.
I was pleased with Howes assessment of the game. He was disappointed & knew we could be better.
I also note just how pleased Pep was at the end of the game. He sees this Newcastle side as a real threat and that his side had to be on their A game last night.
I think I was that disappointed last night I was looking at what we didn’t do. But actually City were excellent as well – everywhere on the pitch!!.
Foden takes the plaudits & rightly so, but their defenders were on it, Rodri & Kov bossed the midfield – I’m not sure any time are getting anything from City last night 😡.
By the way, all the money they’ve spent & all the big names – Akanji is an outstanding player.
Like I said last night, 2 seasons ago 1-0 would have been a win, so to feel disappointed shows how far we’ve come – and maybe makes some of the dreams re-evaluated their predictions for us this season.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – good game so far, I’m not sure my niece will make it to full time though 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, hoping Kelly and james will give us a better option as we need more impetus going forward.
Not feeling it so far, Spain having it all their way
kimtoon(Quote)
Mary Earps is very good
kimtoon(Quote)
Should of scored there😒
kimtoon(Quote)
Oh dear that’s handball
kimtoon(Quote)
like I said Mary Earps is very good
good save
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – my niece is fit to explode.
We were going to meet up to watch it but she’s decorated her house. I was going to go up & watch with her but we fly to Turkey tomorrow & I’ve got stuff to do so said we’d FaceTime & watch it together that way.
She’s 6 but said if England won she’s getting a tattoo 😂.
She went off screen for the penalty decision and when given I heard her shout ‘oh that’s b0ll0cks’ 😂😂
Then went mental when Earpes saved it – then said ‘mam I think she’s just said f*** off’ – my sister is going off it coz she knows she can’t stop her watching it 😂😂.
Still think we’ll get 1 big chance, but Spain have been very good to be fair.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Can’t buy a goal
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s like watching NUFC v City all over again 🤦🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh well , **** weekend for footie
kimtoon(Quote)
Gutted, we never looked like scoring
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – it’s English football man 🤷🏼♂️.
They’ve done brilliantly well and were just pipped by the better team on the day sadly.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Too bad for the Lionesses. Too much passing backwards and gave Spain way too much room and respect. Some good individual performances and great goal keeping. Typical England though. Men or women, we fall at the last hurdle. Spain knew how to manage the game better. But hey, well done the lasses, and so good for the women’s game!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Been mulling over the Bruno situation and a possibility has just dawned on me. I have nothing to back it up other than a hunch.
Paqueta is getting investigated for betting – Bruno’s best mate. Has our boy been at it too or might there be some fall out from that affecting our boy?!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ok so it could be worse – we could have gone to WHU and got turned over 3-1.
Enzo, Caicedo & Mudryk – over £300m and not a decent performance in any of them.
Nearly a billion spent & Jackson, Sterling & Mudryk didn’t have a single shot on target – infact they managed 4 on target, 2 fewer than WHU.
Looks like they’ll need to spend another £100m on a CF 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
2 assists for Ward-Prowse … a good buy for West Ham. But Chelsea … 😂😂😂😂. Spending mega money apparently doesn’t guarantee you wins..
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Blame the manager. It’s the Chelsea way
PremAndUp(Quote)
Over £300m for Enzo, Caicedo & Mudryk – bet he wished he’d bought NUFC instead 😂
What’s scary though is that’s only a third of his spends.
Sharpy17(Quote)
It’s not just a worry – they were terrible. None of them would get into our team! Fine.
Maybe Bruno’s problem is he’s been moved up the pitch to act like a playmaker and he’s just not up to it. He’s no Foden or Anderson even. Tonali’s arrival will affect a lot of things. Joelinton seemed unsure too.
Our wingers worry me too. Is Miggy a real PL quality player? Gordon?
Edde will get these things right but not quickly.
georgio(Quote)
Chelsea without a shirt sponsor too. It’s all too funny.
https://talksport.com/football/1504325/chelsea-no-kit-sponsor-why-premier-league-three-paramount/
Apparently they now have a potential sponsor in infinite athlete . But now this
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/23564118/chelsea-new-sponsor-infinite-athlete-blocked-premier-league/
Deary me, what a mess.
kimtoon(Quote)
Where is everyone? 1 defeat and people lose interest?
georgio(Quote)
I see Hall pushed for. the move to the toon,good on yer son I think you’re going to a good’un
Icedog(Quote)
😁 was wondering if the site was busted
Welcome to the Toon Lewis Hall. Interesting to see many Chelsea fans suggesting LB is not his natural spot as many nufc fans ( including me) assuming that’s where he’ll play. If anything the debate demonstrates why Howe likes him .. he’s versatile. I Learned a bit about about the Chelsea academy and how that’s one way they’re hoping to beat ffp. And the relations between the clubs seems warm. First chinks of acceptance from the dominant clubs for nufc ??
One reason I cringed at the overhype of nufc prior to mcfc game was backlash if nufc lost. So it goes. I don’t blame guimaraes for being miffed at some of the commentary after the game. Getting into a spat on social media is a bad idea tho. Maybe concentrate on being better against Liverpool on Sunday
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Bruno isn’t wrong tho, some of our fans have very short memories. Look how some pushed for sir Bobby to get sacked back in the day.
kimtoon(Quote)
icedog(Quote)
Looks like Ryan Fraser is finally on the move. Loan move to Southampton. Good move for him and good luck. Not sure what went wrong for him here, but undoubtedly talented guy! Hope this works for him!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Just thinking we lost Eric from the blog for some reason now it’s a good while since Stew was on as well ??
Icedog(Quote)
Now you mention it, yes you’re right mate. Hope he’s ok
Gilly Toon(Quote)