Over 3,000 passionate Geordies made the trip to the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime as Newcastle visited current Premier League champions. It wasn’t to be for the Magpies though as goals from Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva helped the visitors record a relatively straight forward 2-0 victory.
Pep Guardiola made six changes to the side that beat Bristol City in the FA Cup on Tuesday. Ederson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri amongst those who returned to the starting line up. For the visitors this weekend, Eddie Howe was forced to make three changes to the side that lost last weekend. Nick Pope returned to the starting line up following his suspension, Jamaal Lascelles replaced the injured Fabian Schar and Anthony Gordon made his first start for Magpies in place of Allan Saint-Maximin.
The hosts had the first chance of the game after just three minutes when Gundogan latched onto a cross from out wide but his header hit the roof of the net. The Citizens took the lead after fifteen minutes through Foden. The young England international picked the ball up out wide and weaved through a handful of Newcastle players before firing towards goal which deflects of Botman and beyond the stranded Pope into the back of the net. Haaland nearly made it 2-0 with ten minutes left to play in the first half when De Bruyne curled a lovely ball into the box but the Norwegian striker couldn’t direct it at goal. Newcastle had their best chance of the half to level things up with five minutes left to play before the interval. Trippier launched an inviting ball into the box which fell to Wilson who only had to control it and put it away but he couldn’t even manage that and City were able to clear. Half Time Manchester City 1 Newcastle United 0.
The second half got off to a slow start. Joelinton was booked for a late challenge on a City player which means that he will miss the next two games. In an attempt to shake things up, Howe brought on Willock, Saint-Maximin and Isak in place of Gordon, Longstaff and Wilson. This nearly changed things instantly as Willock played a super ball to Isak who got a shot away but the hosts managed to clear their lines. The Citizens capitalised and went 2-0 up through Silva in the 67th minute who had only just stepped onto the pitch. Newcastle lost the ball, Grealish cut inside before Haaland laid it off to Silva prodded home. Pope saved well down to his side following a shot by Foden with five minutes left to play but the damage was already done. Trippier curled a free kick at Ederson in the dying minutes of the game but it didn’t trouble the keeper. Full Time Manchester City 2 Newcastle United 0.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: How many more changes does Callum Wilson need before he gets dropped, since the World Cup he hasn’t been the same, don’t get me wrong he’s done well for the club but in my opinion he’s well past it now and this may be the last season he features heavily for us. Joelinton will be a big miss for the next two games too, he has been a machine this season and a real anchor in our midfield. We need to change something at the back, Dan Burn is being exposed far too easily and maybe a change would do good for him. Next weekend is a crucial game, if we can’t get a result there and stop our poor run of form then we can wave goodbye to dreams of finishing in the top six. For me, I’d start Isak for Wilson and either play Gordon/ASM in place of Almiron who looks knackered and could do with a rest. Can we return back to winning ways at St James’ Park next weekend? I hope so.
What’s Next? Manchester City travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday 11th March as they face Crystal Palace in a 5:30pm KO. The Magpies host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday 12th March in a 4:30pm KO.
Manchester City Line Up: Ederson, K Walker, R Dias, N Ake, M Akanji, I Gundogan ©, J Grealish, Rodri, K De Bruyne (65, B Silva), P Foden, E Haaland.
Manchester City Bench: S Ortega, J Stones, A Laporte, R Lewis, C Palmer, K Phillips, B Silva, R Mahrez, J Alvarez.
Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, K Trippier, J Lascelles ©, S Botman, D Burn (87, M Targett), B Guimaraes, S Longstaff (63, J Willock), Joelinton, A Gordon (63, A Saint-Maximin), C Wilson (63, A Isak), M Almiron (78, J Murphy).
Newcastle United Bench: M Dubravka, M Ritchie, M Targett, J Manquillo, J Willock, E Anderson, J Murphy, A Saint-Maximin, A Isak.
Match Officials: Simon Hooper (Referee), Adrian Holmes & Simon Long (Assistant’s), Anthony Taylor (Fourth Official), Michael Salisbury (VAR), Dan Robathan (Assistant VAR).
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