Newcastle Draws with Manchester City in Nasty Engagement of Premier League

This is how the Premier League encounter at St. James’ Park ended as Newcastle United walked away with a 1-1 draw against Manchester City. City took most of the possessions during the course of the match, but Newcastle did well to ensure that they go back home with a point that they totally deserve. The goal for Josko Gvardiol and one for Anthony Gordon made all the difference in this outcome as both teams will waste their chances at trying to get a late winner.

First Half: Gvardiol Gives City Lead
The game started off pretty much the way Manchester City likes to start off: in control, and letting few counterattacks as they tried to sweep along the right flank and on through the left wing. They hadn’t really fashioned a genuine scoring chance until the 35th minute when Jack Grealish delivered a left-wing strike of an excellent ball from which Josko Gvardiol was visible to everybody-and even everyone by his summer signing status-as he headed the ball into the back of the net.

But it was a game that spoke of City’s era of dominance, and the visitors were brazen enough to stay on the gas and to limit Newcastle’s chances to come at them on the break.

Real build-up play by Newcastle in the first half was sometimes brilliant, but clear chances did not materialize. In fact, City slick passing obliged the hosts to roll back and hold out against their attack.

Second Half: Newcastle Fight Back
In the second half, Newcastle generally got about their business a lot better, more charged and determined to somehow find their way back into the game. And they finally earned their reward in the 58th minute after Anthony Gordon took a penalty-Ederson Moraes, City goalkeeper, getting himself cautioned for the foul in the buildup of that penalty-before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to equalize for Newcastle.

Such pressure made Newcastle attempt to have more repercussions on Manchester City higher up the pitch. Continuous attacks by City’s defense-so far known for strength-start showing signs of weaknesses, and neither could make the game in their favor.

Change of Play and Substitutions
Managers both made tactical moves in the second half to get a better run from the game. City manager Pep Guardiola began his early replacement as early as 66 minutes after replacing Ilkay Gundogan with Phil Foden. On the opposite side of the pitch, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe replaced Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock with Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes at the hour mark some 77 minutes into the game.

The team changed. City brought in Jeremy Doku for Grealish and Savinho for Rico Lewis, looking to attack the wings and force the game open at the back of Newcastle. Newcastle drafted Kieran Trippier for Valentino Livramento and seemed to home in on that weak back door. But neither was to be breached.

Important Moments and Yellow/Red Cards
This somehow was a physical match where teams were getting their fair share of yellow cards during the game. The yellow card for City’s midfielder Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish came at 60th and 62nd minutes respectively. Joelinton and Sandro Tonali of Newcastle shortly had their share from the book of the referee after this, and hence the game looked pretty tensed.

Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schaer were also yellow carded for Newcastle in the first half to partly contribute to the physicality overall.
City’s defence, under the stewardship of Ruben Dias, had a good time dealing with Newcastle’s attack threat even though both sides have had to tread careful due to plenty of fouls committed.

Statistics: City Dominate Possession, but Newcastle Stays Competitive
Manchester City retained the ball for 62% of game time but could not snatch win from Newcastle, who restricted themselves to just 38% of ball possession but did enough with it, taking shots totalled at 11 compared to those taken by City, which remained at 16 total. In fact, however, Newcastle had as many as four shots on target while City had six total.

As far as attacking intent goes, the two teams were neck to neck against each other. Newcastle mounted 47 dangerous attacks, while City succeeded with 51. More so in Newcastle’s case, however, some counterattacks were mounted; with a count of 7 compared to the 5 posted by City. On generally passing precision, City emerged better, having done a total of 554 compared to Newcastle’s 329.

Both teams forced Newcastle to clear the ball 18 times to City’s 14, indeed Newcastle intercepted more times as 19 to City’s 12. At the other end of things, Ederson was making all the difference but for Newcastle, Nick Pope showed that he too was really handy marshalling his side to an equal term.

Conclusion: A Well-Earned Point for Both Ends
It expresses the intensity of competition incorporating the Premier League in which even big boys such as Manchester City can be held by very resilient opponents such as Newcastle. City, although possessing more possession and attempts, couldn’t find the winner as the fighting spirit of Newcastle’s defense and their organization in such a manner earned them a precious point.

For the city, it was a little disappointing to end the match in a draw, but for Newcastle, this will be a win, especially coming from behind; they have acquired this coming from behind to win, and that is what has seen them win. It will just be two teams taking back valuable lessons to continue with the rest of their matches in yet another thrilling season of the Premier League.

Read more about related article, just click here