Manchester City feel Rodri’s absence in English Premier League draw with Newcastle United
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Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon was brought down by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, earning the Magpies a penalty.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEWCASTLE – Manchester City failed to shrug off the absence of midfielder Rodri in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on Sept 28, as they dropped points for the second consecutive English Premier League game.
The Spaniard has been ruled out for the rest of the season
Defender Josko Gvardiol put the visitors in front at St James’ Park, but Newcastle were well worthy of the point given to them by Anthony Gordon’s second-half penalty.
Guardiola described Rodri, who is unbeaten in his past 52 Premier League appearances stretching back to February 2023, as “irreplaceable” but vowed to find a collective solution.
Teenager Rico Lewis was thrust forward into a central midfield role alongside Mateo Kovacic. But City lacked the control and poise so often provided by Rodri on and off the ball.
“It is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep. We had chances, but (Nick) Pope (the goalkeeper) was brilliant, so we take the point. We made bad decisions (with the chances) to make it 2-0,” said Guardiola.
Newcastle have lost only one of their six Premier League games this season but, until now, their results have been better than the performances from Eddie Howe’s men.
“That was a good display, that was us playing our way, brave,” said Howe.
“It was two teams going right at each other for probably 70 minutes. Last 20 minutes, they were stronger than us and we had to defend really well to maintain the point... I was really pleased with how we were off the ball and how we attacked the game.”
Neither side had seriously threatened until Gvardiol collected Jack Grealish’s pass inside the box and curled a low shot into the far corner on 35 minutes.
City should have quickly doubled their lead when Pope’s clearance fell to midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who mishit his attempted lob over the England goalkeeper rather than picking out Erling Haaland.
Newcastle had to wait till first-half stoppage time to test goalkeeper Ederson. Joelinton brilliantly took down a Kieran Trippier free kick and fired goalwards only to be denied by his Brazil teammate.
However, Newcastle – looking a vastly better side than the one who slumped to a 3-1 defeat by Fulham last weekend – were rewarded for a bright start to the second half.
Gordon got in behind and was brought down by Ederson as he tried to round the goalkeeper. The England international picked himself up to confidently slot home the penalty in the 58th minute.
Roared on by the vociferous home crowd, Newcastle had the champions clinging on.
“I’ve said he is capable of doing the role. The highlight for me today was his energy and his running. He led the line really well and really pleased that he got his goal. Well deserved,” Howe said of lively Gordon.
Referee Jarred Gillett turned down appeals for a second penalty when Kyle Walker challenged Joelinton before Ederson flew off his line to deny Gordon.
Guardiola responded with the introduction of last season’s Premier League Player of the Year
Foden had City’s best chance to snatch all three points when he fired too close to Pope, who was again required to produce a stunning save from Bernardo Silva’s volley.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden (left) and Erling Haaland reacting to a missed chance against Newcastle.
PHOTO: AFP
Haaland, who has 10 league goals, also headed at the goalkeeper in stoppage time as the Norwegian failed to score for the first time in the Premier League this term.
City could still have suffered their first defeat of the season had midfielder Sean Longstaff not pulled a great chance wide in the final 10 minutes.
The defending champions have lost their last four Premier League games when they have been without both Rodri and de Bruyne from the start.
While they ended that streak on Sept 28, they will leave St James’ Park frustrated, especially after recording just one big chance created and an xG total of 0.87.
It was City’s second-lowest tally of the season, a likely reflection of how they have missed their key midfielders.
With the dropped points, title rivals are feeling encouraged that the City’s grip on the championship is beginning to loosen. AFP
