Boxing Day hasn't been kind to the Magpies in recent years and this was arguably going to be one of the toughest tests yet away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Steve Bruce reverted to a 5-4-1 formation. With Darlow in goal. Yedlin and Ritchie as the Wing-backs. Fernandez made a return to the starting lineup in a trio consisting of Clark and Fernandez also. Murphy and Almiron filled in, out wide of the midfield, Hayden kept his place in the centre, partnered with a surprise addition of not Sean but Matty Longstaff. Joelinton played solo as the centre forward.
The first ten minutes Newcastle looked bright, solid and pressed City high up the pitch. The Toon did concede chances but kept the Sky Blues out until the 15th minute when Sterling broke into the box. Given bags of space Sterling played the ball to Gundogan who slotted it past a semi-static Karl Darlow. The defence could have done a little bit better as Ritchie neglected to close the attacker in favour of filling in for Karl Darlow who came of his line to close the gap. 1-0 to the home side.
Despite being 1-0 up the manager who was most animated and active on the touchline was the great Pep Guardiola. And in the 22nd minute the arguably, equally great Kevin De Bruyne whipped in a cross which looked to be heading in but Darlow rose well to keep it at only one. Only three minutes later Ferran Torres crept towards goal and struck a tame shot comfortably saved by Darlow.
Thirty-six minutes on the clock and KDB should have made it two when he broke clear of the defence. One-on-one with the keeper De Bruyne took the shot but it was closed down by Darlow, spreading himself the stand in Toon keeper made a terrific stop keeping the Mags in the game.
United's best chance in the first half came when Almiron crossed the ball into the box, Joelinton flicked it on Fabian Schar who was inches away from getting his toe on to the ball to notch it in.
The second half started and in the 52nd minute Newcastle had another chance with Almiron playing a lovely ball through for Murphy who was wider off the goal than he would have liked as he not only broke away from the City defence, but from his own teammates as well. The chance ended with a tame shot comfortably saved by Ederson.
Three minutes later in the 55th minute City go two up when Almiron failed to clear the ball, letting Cancelo intercept the ball. Cancelo drives the ball into the box and Fernandez blocked the cross only for the ball to fall into the path of Ferran Torres who slots the ball past Darlow. 2-0 City.
An hour into the game and City failed to capitalize on a big chance to put the game beyond doubt when Cancelo crossed the ball into Sterling who couldn't find his feet but made contact which was saved by Darlow yet again. The ball fell to Bernardo Silva who hit it on the half volley and struck the outside of the post. A chance of equal proportion came in the 82nd minute when Cancelo fizzed the ball into the box to find Aguero who made full contact on the ball only for Darlow to fly accross his goal to get hands onto the ball and palm it away. Similar style of Iker Cassilas.
Towards the end of the game Sterling had a penalty shout when he turned away from DeAndre Yedlin. Sterling went down and after a VAR review Andre Marriner the referee ruled that no foul play had occurred. City went on to keep possession and ran down the clock for full time.
Final score Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United
This was always a game Newcastle would struggle to claim victory in. But despite the loss I feel that the players actually turned up to give City a game today. The lads didn't have a lot of possession but looked solid at times and kept Peps men at bay for the majority of the tie. The lads looked energetic despite coming off the back of a poor loss to Championship side Brentford. If we can keep up the levels of intensity I don't think we will be amongst the favourites to be relegated. Bruce deserves some credit for firing the team up against a team widely speculated to give us a hammering.
By Sam West
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