The talent and success of the Norwegian Erling Haaland and the Portuguese Bernardo Silva put a stop to Newcastle's euphoria at St. James Park and avoided Manchester City's first defeat of the season, against the ropes until the final appearance of Kevin De Bruyne. Newcastle showed that it is serious in this Premier. It already gave symptoms last year, with the arrival of the new owners who gave a swerve to its crisis and its situation. He may not be able to compete for the title but it is clear that he will be a great cheerleader in the competition.
Supported by the inspiration of his goalkeeper, Nick Pope, unbeaten until the visit of Manchester City, and by the high pace he imposed in the game, he took the champion on a friendly note, putting fear into his body. At match time 'the magpies' won 3-1; until he took the helm from De Bruyne and launched his hitherto inferior crew into orbit. Even so, Manchester City left its first points in the Premier.
Newcastle stood up as best it could against City's good start. It is usual. Pep Guardiola's team subdues the rival. That's how it was at the beginning with an avalanche of attack from the visitors that showed the best version of goalkeeper Nick Pope, who was decisive for his team throughout the match.
The character of the new version of the 'magpies' came to the fore as soon as it was seen with the score against. It didn't take long for the 'citizen' goal to arrive, after five minutes. With a great pass from Bernardo Silva to the area that Ilkay Gündogan collected alone before the goal. The German had time to get the ball down, control and shoot to get the ball into the net.
Kevin De Bruyne was able to make the second but Pope deflected the shot with his foot. By then there was already a change in the mood of the locals who had shaken the dominance of Guardiola's team. They accepted the challenge and imposed a high pace and made the champion uncomfortable.
Allan Saint Maximin was able to tie at 24 and then Callum Wilson. Newcastle had begun to look City in the face. He believed it. In the midst of a game without control, he achieved the equalizer. It was scored by the Paraguayan Miguel Almirón, with his belly, in an accurate pass from Saint Maximin that created one problem after another for the visiting defense.
It is not common to see Guardiola's team having a bad time. But he suffered. He was in the hands of an inspired opponent who took the lead on a perfect counter. A quick transition. Saint Maximin found the unchecking of Callum Willson who made a space for himself and beat Ederson in the middle of a play run and a very high pace.
Far from changing the panorama after the intermission, it became ugly for the champion who did not see a way to gain control of the match. Erling Haaland, until then disappeared, began to be seen. He was able to equalize by receiving a good pass from Rubén Dias but his shot led to one of Pope's best interventions and the ball hit the post.
However, a foul by John Stones on the edge of the box allowed Kieran Trippier's hitting ability to show off. The former Atlético Madrid player executed a perfect free kick. Impossible for Ederson. Newcastle stood 3-1.
But City don't need much. Brimming with talent. And in a seen and not seen he corrected the situation. He equalized in three minutes. He shortened the difference in the 61st, on a ball hanging into De Bruyne's area that Rodri touched before he left the bottom. Haaland picked it up and beat Pope. The Norwegian, already in orbit, was able to tie in a one-on-one but the Newcastle goalkeeper grew again.
But De Bruyne had already assumed responsibility. The game was for him. A filtered pass was invented, in minute 63, that he found to Bernardo Silva that did not fail. He got the draw.
Then everything could happen. City turned on the local area against an opponent whose legs were already heavy. Eddie Howe refreshed his attack to regain speed. But Guardiola's team already owned the game. Pope grew and frustrated every visiting attempt. Manchester City was unable to unbalance the clash. Newcastle resisted and got their prize.
