Newcastle 1-1 Man City: Much-improved Mags fight back for brilliant point

A much-needed response to last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Fulham and our best performance of the season as Newcastle United proved great value for a point against Man City in Saturday's early kick off.

It's not only a big point against the best team in the world and another result where we've come from behind impressively, but a really encouraging display. We were tight defensively, saw Hall's best performance of the season, a far better balance in midfield, the return of Tonali in Howe's 11 and Gordon back to his best, where he filled in superbly in Isak's asbence.

There were three changes from Fulham as Hall, Tonali and Murphy replaced Kelly, Willock and Isak and we made a fast start in a first half that settled on fine margins. We came out of the traps with real purpose, showing that intensity that was totally lacking in last week’s defeat at Fulham. Our pressing game was back and we got after them from the off, overcrowding their midfield, hassling their back line and limiting service up to a largely isolated Erling Haaland.

It’s fair to say we were the better side in a much improved first half display, yet the first goal came for City. It was poor defending from Trippier, who was beaten too easily after diving in on Grealish before the winger found Gvardiol ghosting into the box. The Croatian did the rest, taking one touch before sliding past Pope and into the far corner.

Their opener just after the half hour mark took the stuffing out of a lively Newcastle start, giving City a settler in a game they’d been second best in. Nevertheless, there was plenty to take from the first 45 - Hall was superb, the midfield balance looked much better and our front three was causing problems with runs in the channels and plenty of pressure on Ederson, who was almost caught out as they attempted to play behind our press.

We very nearly went into the break level but for a big save from the City stopper, who showed sharp reflexes to parry Joelinton’s powerful effort as it fell to the Brazilian in the box. 0-1 at the break and plenty to do, but enough encouragement to believe we could find a way back.

That encouragement was justified in a big second half, where we were handed a chance to level from the spot after Ederson brought down Gordon. A great run to win it and an even better spot kick as our No.10 responded to a brilliant pre-match display in the East Stand with his second goal of the season amid reports he's set to sign a new six-year deal.

1-1 and a thoroughly deserved leveller, but plenty still to do as City brought on Foden, Savinho and Doku in search of a second. Howe also made changes of his own as we began to tire and struggle with cramp, as Willock, Longstaff and Livramento replaced Barnes, Tonali - who had added some craft and graft to our midfield - and Trippier.

Foden went close after firing a low shot straight at Pope, but we did well to tame the dangerous Doku and Savinho out wide, with Joelinton and Bruno working tirelessly in midfield while Burn and Schar had their hands full with a frustrated but hungry Haaland.

After dropping slightly deeper and showing signs of fatigue after a huge effort to this point, we did have two moments at the other end. Joelinton's penalty claims were waved away after a collision with Walker and Longstaff dragged an effort just wide after some good work from Murphy to cut the ball back.

Seven minutes of added time were signalled and one final chance fell to City as Silva smashed a loose ball towards goal, only for Pope's brilliantly reflexes to come up trumps as he tipped over to preserve what looked like a precious point.

Hopefully that is a performance we can build on and the return of that high-intensity style most teams struggle to match when we're at our all-action best. We often rise to the occasion against the 'big six' at St James' Park, but the challenge now will be replicating those levels consistently, both home and away.

Next up for Newcastle, a Carabao Cup clash with Wimbledon on Tuesday before traveling to Everton next weekend.

STARTING XI: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall – Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton – Murphy, Gordon, Barnes.

SUBS: Dubravka, Krafth, Osula, Livramento, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, A.Murphy