Manchester City and Newcastle United played out an exhilarating draw at St. James Park on Sunday evening.
Manchester City were tipped as heavy favourites to win the game. They started on all cylinders firing, as Ilkay Gundogan hammered one home from close range in the opening five minutes of the contest. The Cityzens kept dominating and had plenty of chances to consolidate their lead.
One of them fell to English starboy Phil Foden. He took a shot which was saved by Newcastle keeper Nick Pope with his legs. However, their talisman Erling Halland was free in the box. He exhibited great movement to find some space in the box, and could have easily tapped the ball home.
As the game went on, City lost their control for a while, and Newcastle came in with all guns blazing. They roared into a 3-1 lead with Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson scoring. Kieran Trippier later banged in a spectacular free kick.
Pep Guardiola’s side did fight back though as Erling Halland eventually got his goal. Kevin De Bruyne later put in a superb through ball that Bernado Silva coolly slotted home.
The game had a tense end, with the Magpies holding on to the score. They made occasional bursts forward, but City stopped it in the nick of time.
Foden blamed for Manchester City dropping points
At the end of the game, Manchester City fans felt that they could have easily won the game if for some better decision-making. Phil Foden was criticized because if he had kept his head up, City would have been 2-0 up in the blink of an eye. Furthermore, City supporters were also upset because, in a position identical to this one, he also chose not to play in Haaland during their 4-0 victory against Bournemouth last week.
One needs to remember that Halland is a new player in the team, very different from the profile of strikers that City previously played. It will take some time for his teammates to adjust to his movements. Once some chemistry is made, City can be virtually unstoppable in the league.
Follow us on Twitter for more football updates.
