Newcastle 1 – 1 Man City

Anthony Gordon received a controversial penalty after which scored from the spot to earn Newcastle a 1-1 draw with Manchester Metropolis at St James’ Park to supply an early dent to the title favourites’ Premier League bid.

“I do not assume it is a penalty,” mentioned former referee Mike Dean on Soccer Saturday after seeing Gordon race by means of on purpose after which hit the deck after Ederson slid at his ft and appeared to make slight contact with the ahead.

Ederson was booked for “a real try and play the ball however [denying] an apparent goal-scoring alternative”, in keeping with the officers, and Gordon – enjoying as a centre ahead within the absence of injured pair Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson – despatched the ‘keeper the mistaken approach to stage the match.

Sub Phil Foden had Metropolis’s greatest likelihood to regain the lead however despatched his shot from Erling Haaland’s flick straight at Nick Pope. The Newcastle ‘keeper was labored more durable by a robust shot from Bernardo Silva late on however this was a below-par show from Pep Guardiola’s workforce.

Metropolis, enjoying for the primary time within the Premier League since Rodri was dominated out for the season and nonetheless with out Kevin De Bruyne, struggled to choose a approach by means of Newcastle’s deep defence however led on the break by means of Josko Gvardiol’s opener. The left-back discovered the underside nook from contained in the field following good play from Jack Grealish within the build-up.

The England winger performed a key function in Metropolis’s late equaliser towards 10-player Arsenal final weekend and confirmed he’s returning to kind with neat play right here – though he later risked a crimson card when he lashed out at Sandro Tonali, who he had a operating battle with.

There was concern throughout that first half that Metropolis would lose Haaland to harm after the striker was caught on the ankle by the studs of Dan Burn however he was capable of proceed regardless of a nasty lower. Damage-hit Metropolis – who solely had eight gamers on their bench, together with two goalkeepers – may ailing afford to lose their entrance man too.

The defending champions have misplaced their final 4 Premier League video games after they’ve been with out each Rodri and De Bruyne from the beginning and whereas they ended that streak on Saturday they are going to go away the North East annoyed.

Metropolis’s draw allowed Liverpool to take first spot within the Premier League desk in Saturday’s night kick-off with a win at Wolves. Newcastle sit seventh, 4 factors off the summit.

Guardiola tires of Rodri questions: In fact we will miss him!

Man Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola:

“Guys, I will let you know, I do know you are going to ask me on a regular basis – in fact we will miss Rodri. Physicality, his presence… I do know it however he is not right here. I am judging what [Mateo] Kovacic and Rico [Lewis] and Bernardo after [did in central midfield], how now we have performed. That was distinctive.

“I do know if we do not do effectively it is due to Rodri [not being there]. I’ve to discover a answer. We’ll discover a answer. I might love Rodri to be right here. However it’s what it’s.

“We had the possibilities to attain, we should always rating. And of their stadium they’ll rating. Other than that I am glad.”

On Haaland: “He has some knocks right here. However we’ll see within the subsequent days.”

Evaluation: How did Metropolis cope with out Rodri?

Sky Sports activities’ Peter Smith:

In Man Metropolis’s first Premier League sport since Rodri’s season-ending harm towards Arsenal, there was intrigue into how Pep Guardiola would arrange his facet. The Spaniard was progressive as ever, with Manuel Akanji stepping out of defence to play alongside Mateo Kovacic when Metropolis had the ball. Rico Lewis pushed as much as play alongside Ilkay Gundogan and kind a field midfield.

Off the ball, there can have been disappointment Newcastle had been capable of play Anthony Gordon by means of to win the penalty on that one event within the second half but it surely was across the opposition field the place Rodri’s absence – and the extra blow of being with out Kevin De Bruyne – was most keenly felt on Saturday. Metropolis struggled to choose a approach by means of Newcastle’s deep defence.

Kovacic topped the touches depend – as Rodri so usually does – and led the way in which for final-third passes, finishing 93.3 per cent of these. On the left, Jack Grealish created 5 possibilities, together with his help for Josko Gvardiol. However Metropolis did not play with the velocity or swiftness in that space of that pitch required to carve out sufficient important openings to seize a winner. There was a spark lacking.

Metropolis recorded only one massive likelihood created and an xG complete of 0.87 – Metropolis’s second-lowest tally of the season.

The absence of Rodri and De Bruyne was felt.

Howe: Our greatest efficiency this season

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe:

“It was a extremely good efficiency from us. We dedicated, we had been courageous. Anthony Gordon epitomised that spirit and dedication to be aggressive. I assumed the work he received by means of was actually spectacular. Huge, long-distance runs show he’s getting again to his greatest when it comes to health ranges. The workforce backed that up.

“That is our greatest show of the season, little doubt, with and with out the ball. Actually good indicators for us.”

On the penalty determination: “He is clipped, and going at that velocity that is all it takes to go down.”

Story of the match in stats…

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