Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester City. Anthony Gordon’s second-half penalty salvaged a point for Newcastle United as they held Manchester City to a draw at St James’ Park.
City took the lead in the 35th minute when defender Josko Gvardiol finished clinically from a Jack Grealish lay-off. Earlier in the week, manager Pep Guardiola had described Rodri as “irreplaceable,” and while this is true in many respects, City’s squad boasts other vital players who don’t always command the same attention. One of them is Gvardiol, who, since joining City last summer for £73m, has become a key figure, playing every minute of their Premier League and Champions League campaigns so far.
Though naturally a central defender, the 22-year-old Croatian has adapted to a broader role on the left. Despite not having the blistering speed of teammate Kyle Walker, Gvardiol is comfortable pushing forward and has a precise left foot. His goal, a calm finish into the bottom corner, was a testament to his growing influence on the team.
While some might attribute City’s inability to secure the win to Rodri’s absence, the midfield was not the issue. City played well, with Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis effectively covering for the injured Rodri, who is out for the season with a knee injury. However, Newcastle mounted a strong response early in the second half, capitalizing during their best spell of the game.
Bruno Guimaraes delivered a superb pass through City’s defense, and Kyle Walker inadvertently played Gordon onside. As the England forward raced towards goal, he was brought down by City keeper Ederson, who received a yellow card for the challenge. Gordon then calmly slotted the penalty past Ederson, leveling the score.
City could have been further ahead before halftime, but Ilkay Gundogan squandered a chance, failing to capitalize on a poor clearance from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. Both teams pressed for a winner late in the game. Newcastle’s Sean Longstaff came close, while City’s Bernardo Silva tested Pope in stoppage time, but neither side could break the deadlock.
The draw marked Newcastle’s continued struggle against City, as they have only one win in their last 34 top-flight meetings. For City, it was a second consecutive game without a win after dropping four points in a week, following their perfect start to the campaign.
Newcastle’s fans unfurled banners celebrating Gordon before kickoff, as the 23-year-old confirmed he is close to signing a new long-term contract. Despite speculation earlier this summer that Newcastle had approached Liverpool about a potential transfer, Gordon remains a key figure for the Magpies. While he hasn’t yet rediscovered the form that earned him a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad, his performance against City demonstrated his value. Playing centrally in this match, he lacked the space he usually enjoys in wider positions but remained a constant threat.
Gordon’s decisive penalty underscored his importance, and though he briefly appeared injured late in the match, he recovered to finish the game strongly. His role in Newcastle’s season looks set to be crucial as they aim for success.
source – BBC