Newcastle United almost secured a famous victory over Manchester City as Eddie Howe’s men had the blue half of Manchester on the ropes at St James’ Park. Against the team many see as the world’s best, United put in one of their best performances of recent times and some left the ground feeling like it was two points dropped.
The game ended 3-3 and in reality, every fan would have taken the point before the clash if it was offered but it shows the height of the performance when some genuinely felt United should have won the game. After going 1-0 behind, Newcastle went 3-1 up but it was always going to be a task to keep the quality of City from coming back.
In the end, a point against Pep Guardiola is one to be celebrated and even more so in a game that was thoroughly entertaining. With so much happening, it’s a fair bet that you have missed some moments.
Bruno Guimaraes’s discipline
Having been booked in the eighth-minute for a foul on Kevin De Bruyne, it was also going to be a difficult afternoon for Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian, playing as the anchor in the midfield three, had to adapt his game to still break up City’s attacks while also being wary that a tackle out of place could have seen him see red.
The 24-year-old however rose to the challenge and played a vital role in United’s result. He made the most tackles of anyone in black-and-white and proved to be a constant thorn in the side of City’s stars.
He was also partial to a roar or two throughout the game - once when he took the ball from Phil Foden, when Miguel Almiron scored and against when Kieran Trippier put one away.
Jack Grealish sees Miguel Almiron prove a point
Jack Grealish may not have been in the Manchester City squad but he was at St James’ Park to see Miguel Almiron have what some say was his best performance in a black-and-white shirt. Grealish has been pictured in the directors’ box with a picture doing the rounds on social media of him smirking in the aftermath of Almiron’s first-half finish.
Almiron, who had been given a vote of confidence in the form of a Wor Flags’ display, did point towards the Milburn Stand as he wrapped up his celebration - maybe he knew he had an interested onlooker.
Joelinton’s calming influence
Joelinton continues to improve with every game - it is something nearing a miracle, and the performance against Man City was another top one. As per, he got his foot stuck in - making three interceptions, including one crucial one after Nick Pope had tipped Erling Haaland’s effort onto the post with City’s forwards waiting to tap home the rebound.
But it was his organisation that stood out. He was constantly pointing players into position - especially Dan Burn who was once again filling it at left-back. He was telling players who to cover and where to go and was showing real leadership throughout.
When City scored their second goal, Joelinton turned around to his teammates and just urged them to calm down and focus. It’s another side to him that has emerged under the guidance of Eddie Howe.
The crowd assist United’s efforts to run the clock down
With City pressing for a fourth late on, those sitting in the Leazes End were on hand to aid United’s fight against the clock. The ball went out for a corner and as City’s players took it to the flag and prepared to whip it in, the crowd held onto another ball before chucking it onto the pitch.
It forced the referee to blow his whistle and get the pitch cleared - which in turn allowed the Magpies some valuable seconds to get that bit more organised, as well as run the clock down.
It was yet another helping hand that the crowd offered - they really did play their part.
Confusion over the substitutes
With 95 minutes on the clock, Eddie Howe was ready to add another defensive body to his XI to see out the game. The board went up and Allan Saint-Maximin’s No 10 flashed up with the Frenchman slowly making his way over to the touchline.
But just moments before, Dan Burn had been floored by a Sven Botman clearance that hit him straight in the face. Botman raced over and put him in the recovery position before the medical staff rushed on.
Looking dazed, Burn made his way off the pitch at the East Stand side and began walking around - this is where the confusion began. With Matt Ritchie on the touchline ready to come in for Saint-Maximin, Howe quickly realised Burn was no longer going to be able to continue. He told Ritchie to sit back down and Emil Krafth to come on.
The players were confused as was the stadium announcer who told the crowd Saint-Maximin had indeed come off for Krafth. Moments later, Saint-Maximin raced through towards the City goal as United pressed for a winner.
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