Newcastle 3-3 Man City: A Premier League classic and performance to be proud of
What a game. What a performance. What a free kick. What an atmosphere. What a team. What a club.
We have just witnessed a Premier League classic and a display that proves what fortress St James' Park has become since Eddie Howe took the job under new ownership.
After going a goal down within the first five minutes, we responded in style with goals from Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, who curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner in front of the Gallowgate End.
Unfortunately, a devastating Man City side brimming with quality, movement and cohesion scored a quick fire double midway through the second half, but we hung on for a fantastic point against the reigning champions.
Allan Saint-Maximin was electric, Callum Wilson a handful with a constant eye for goal, Miguel Almiron relentless and our Brazilian duo of Bruno and big Joe two man mountains in the middle of the park.
Nick Pope also made a string of superb saves to keep us in the game, proving once again why he's got every chance of forcing his way into the England side ahead of Jordan Pickford.
The result leaves Eddie Howe's Mags unbeaten after three games and up to 6th in the table after a performance to be proud of, proving that we have the heart, quality and tactical nous to go toe to toe with the big boys.
The first half was nothing short of sensational and one of THE most incredible opening 45 minutes of football I’ve seen at St James’ Park.
We actually suffered a nightmare start, with a scrappy Ilkay Gundogan goal coming after a period of sitting off, failing to win those second balls and giving City too much space to do damage. A second felt likely if we didn’t sort it out, but boy did we respond.
We upped the intensity, began winning our battles in midfield and were quick to get the electric Allan Saint-Maximin running at Kyle Walker. The Frenchman had the beating of him every single time and should’ve bagged an assist - only for his smart cutback to be fired into row Z by Miguel Almiron. A huge chance missed to grab the goal we deserved, but the Paraguayan showed the absent Jack Grealish how it’s done moments later, bundling home another brilliant Saint-Maximin cross to make it 1-1. The flag went up initially but VAR showed him to he onside, allowing the celebrations inside St James’ Park to recommence.
The stadium was rocking and it went up a few notches again before the break, as more slick and decisive attacking allowed Callum Wilson to burst into the box, take it past his man and fire into the bottom corner past Ederson. 2-1 Newcastle!
City nearly found an equaliser before the break, as Nick Pope was forced into a few smart saves with his feet before Sven Botman recovered from a loose touch to put in a brilliant last ditch block.
The second half started with more positive play and pressing, with Allan Saint-Maximin picking up from where he left off with a stunning run infield. He was halted by a blatant foul from John Stones and we all know what happened next, as Kieran Trippier curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner.
It felt like a magical win was on its way, but City showed their class in the next 10 minutes, responding with two quick-fire strikes from Erling Haalan and Bernardo Silva. After that, many feared the champions would go on to win, yet we dug in, fought for every ball, kept our discipline and refused to drop too deep as we held on for a well deserved point.
Thankfully, Kieran Trippier also avoided what was initially deemed a red card after the truly awful Jarred Gillett overturned his original decision following an intervention from VAR.
A game that will live long in the memory and a performance to be proud of.
Next up, a trip to Wolves next Sunday!
STARTING XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton; Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson.
SUBS: Dubravka, Lascelles, Ritchie, Krafth, Wood, Fraser, Murphy, Anderson, Longstaff.
