Manchester City 1 (Josko Gvardiol 35′)
Newcastle United 1 (Anthony Gordon 58′ P)
Here are the City player ratings as Manchester City drew 1-all with Newcastle at St. James Park. In truth, a draw was probably a fair result over the 90 minutes.
Pep Guardiola named Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis and Ilkay Gundogan in midfield in City’s first game after the devastating news that Rodri is out for the remainder of this season. Based on the trio’s performance, it will take time for the champions to adjust to the absence of Rodri.
First half
The first half saw Newcastle sit deep and look to hit City on the counter. They had success targeting City’s left-hand side. But in truth, besides a good Jacob Murphy cross, Newcastle couldn’t land a significant jab on the champions in the game’s first 30 minutes. But Manchester City did begin the game in a lacklustre fashion and were struggling to break down Newcastle.
That changed when Jack Grealish set up Josko Gvardiol for the opening goal of the game in the 35th minute. A great piece of play from Grealish set up Gvardiol. The Croatian still had plenty to do and he expertly finished after cutting inside on his right foot to give City the lead. It was a lead City would take into halftime thanks to a stunning save from Ederson from Joelinton on the stroke of halftime.
Second half
The second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first. Newcastle sat deep, and City couldn’t get their free-flowing football going. Newcastle found an equaliser after Kyle Walker played Anthony Gordon onside in the 58th minute. Gordon was through on goal and adjudged to have been fouled by Ederson. He calmly slotted the penalty to make it 1-all. Though, it is debatable if it should’ve been a penalty.
Manchester City looked infinitely more dangerous with the introduction of Phil Foden, Savinho and Jeremy Doku late on. City had the best chances to win the game with Nick Pope making a superb save from a Bernardo Silva second-half stoppage time. But based on how the game played out a draw is probably a fair result.
Here are the City player ratings as the champions picked up a point from St. James Park.
City player ratings
Ederson-7/10: Made on stunning save from Joelinton on the stroke of halftime. He was unlucky to concede a penalty, in my opinion, for his challenge on Anthony Gordon. But did his work well over the 90 minutes.
Kyle Walker-7/10: He played Gordon onside for Newcastle’s equaliser. Besides that error, it was his best performance of the season.
Manuel Akanji-6.5/10: Akanji slotted into midfield when City had possession and didn’t do a lot wrong. But it wasn’t his best performance of the season.
Ruben Dias-6.5/10: Dias was booked late in the game for a challenge on Anthony Gordon. Did what he had to do but like Akanji, it wasn’t his best game.
Josko Gvardiol-7.5/10: Scored City’s goal with a sublime finish. Newcastle targeted Gvardiol and he did his job well both defensively and going forward.
Rico Lewis 6/10: Started in midfield but not at his best. Got into some decent positions at times but wasn’t his best performance.
Mateo Kovacic-6/10: His performance wasn’t at the high standards he had shown to start the season.
Ilkay Gundogan-4/10: A poor display by Gundogan. He got into good positions but couldn’t affect the game as he would’ve liked. Looks to be too eager to impress rather than letting the game come to him.
Bernardo Silva-5.5/10: He was anonymous on the right wing but could’ve won the game when he was swapped into midfield. Perhaps that move should have been made earlier.
Jack Grealish-7/10: Set up Gvardiol’s opener with a superb piece of wing play. Faded out of the game in the second half as he got sucked into a running battle with Sandro Tonali.
Erling Haaland-6/10: Haaland was well marshalled by the Newcastle defence. He still had his chances but couldn’t hit that score sheet. He did defend well when he had to which is a credit to City’s number 9.
Substitutes
Phil Foden-6.5/10: City looked a lot more dangerous when Foden was introduced. You have to wonder if the game could’ve been changed if he was introduced ehad beenier.
Savinho-6/10: Looked lively but like Foden, he came on too late.
Jeremy Doku-6/10: Same as Savinho and Foden. Looked lively but was introduced too late in proceedings.
