Another defeat at the Etihad for Newcastle United, but we were competitive throughout and can count ourselves slightly unlucky not to have come away with something.
Lewis Hall pulled levelled things for us in the first half, but two goals from Nico O’Reilly secured a 2-1 win for Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing side.
Here are our marks out of 10 and comments on each player involved.
Starting 11
Pope (6) – Probably should’ve done better with the opening goal but also made some crucial saves late on to keep us in the game.
Trippier (5.5) – Poor awareness for the second goal as he was too far away from Thiaw allowing O’Reilly to saunter in to head in the decisive goal. Was again found wanting with his recovery runs but was quite tidy in possession without creating anything.
Thiaw (7) – Will feel like he could’ve defended the first goal better as he was drawn towards the ball and left O’Reilly unmarked. Was fairly faultless afterwards and can enjoy a week off due to suspension against Qarabag.
Burn (7.5) – Booked early on and had numerous physical tussles with Haaland throughout the match. Seemed to get into Haaland’s head and can be happy with his performance. Had an equaliser ruled out after Ruben Dias pushed him into an offside position, unfortunately as the ball wasn’t live the referee couldn’t blow for a free kick or a penalty. Surely the free kick could’ve been retaken though?
Hall (8*) – Dragged us back into the game with a deflected effort from the edge of the box and was tidy in possession throughout. Handled the dangerous Semenyo well and is getting better each and every week.
Ramsey (7) – Starting to really find his feet with a typically energetic performance whilst showing some real quality on the ball. Still feels like he has some extra gears to show us but he’s proving his worth.
Tonali (5) – Poor performance as he was unable to have any meaningful impact on the game. Defensively he was all at sea in the first half as he wasn’t able to get anywhere near the City midfield.
Willock (5) – Just can’t string any sort of consistent performances and was completely anonymous before mercifully being hooked on the hour. Will hope to play against Qarabag and play himself into form.
Elanga (5) – Athletically flawless but he needs a lot of coaching when it comes to his decision making and end product. Wasted a golden opportunity to slide Gordon in and the attack fizzled out.
Woltemade (5) – Big Nick seems really confused as to what’s expected of him. Was essentially playing as a central midfielder rather than a number 10 and did well with some early balls to free Gordon but lacks the defensive capabilities to play there consistently. Too often he was chasing shadows and failed to get forward quick enough to support the attack.
Gordon (6.5) – Wasn’t afforded too many opportunities to show what he could do, but his raw pace caused Dias and Guehi all sorts of problems. Pep bringing on Khusanov at half time was an acknowledgment that Gordon was giving them real problems.
Substitutes
Joelinton (6) – Added some starch in midfield and collected his customary yellow card. Will be desperate to play against Qarabag to assist with match fitness.
Barnes (5.5) – Nearly grabbed a late equaliser as Donnarumma tipped his snapshot wide (may have been going wide anyway!)
Murphy (5) – Offered very little, aside from one set piece delivery that almost found Burn.
Osula (NR) – Barely got a touch.
Burn was man of the match for me.
Trippier and Thiaw in a positional mess for the second with neither knowing where each other should be which left a mismatch for height, as things stand with Miley and Botman being unavailable Trippier is finding things tough being overused.
Thought the overall performance was better than we have produced at the Etihad of late but that wouldn’t be difficult and we were competitive until the final whistle.
I think this performance gives us a bit of hope for our FA Cup tie at home as I believe we can get under their skin especially if Gordon continues in his current form.
Not particularly impressed again with the ref and var again not spotting or checking the blatant push on Burn for the “equaliser” as he should have received his second yellow.
Before the match I said it was hope rather than expectation and that’s how it turned out.
Joseph(Quote)
Second half game management by City was exemplary. If we were still playing now, we wouldn’t have scored, wooden build up and quite hopeless whenever we deigned to get the ball into their box. And, I’m afraid, this is entirely typical. Give us any sound, determined, opposition and once they decide to shut up shop we ain’t at the races. If only we have a lively, gifted, goalscorer…………….”cough cough”
davewallace(Quote)
Tripper isn’t mobile enough now to leave his winger too much space, this is happening every game now! Pope isn’t covering himself in glory, if Ramsdale isn’t selected, another goalkeeper is needed.
Peter Beaumont(Quote)
Trippier was too slow
Tonali was too slow, didn’t want to challenge or tackle,
Woltermade didn’t want to attack and too slow
3 players totally underpar, for most of the seasons, Newcastle was doomed. Champions League for next year? No chance
Jordan(Quote)