Dire record is off-Toon
NEWCASTLE UNITED’S dire record in this fixture continued, with Manchester City recording a 27th victory from the last 33 meetings between the two sides. City’s only defeat since 2005 was here six years ago, a Rafa Benitez masterclass when the hosts recovered from conceding to Sergio Aguero inside the first minute despite only having 23 per cent of the ball.
They almost saw out a draw last night, and Pep Guardiola noted that the main stand cheered when just three minutes went up on the board for stoppage time, only for youngster Oscar Bobb to pop up with the winner — his first Premier League goal.
GUARDIOLA switched things up tactically to the shape that City had been practising during pre-season.
Stationed exceptionally high and wide on the right, Kyle Walker’s positioning meant those in behind striker Julian Alvarez were shifted across one spot each. And it was by design after studying the Newcastle midfield.
Operating with a flat three in front of their back four, Eddie Howe offered up plenty of space for City to exploit — and Walker venturing forward allowed Phil Foden to occupy the pockets.
As we’ve seen over recent weeks, it’s dangerous giving Foden any room in there and Bernardo Silva enjoyed the idea of roaming more too, chipping in the opener and later hitting the bar. And it was that space which Silva’s replacement, Kevin De Bruyne, exploited so sublimely in his 21-minute vignette.
THE downside of that tactical switch by Guardiola was what happened going in the other direction. Walker, whose choices in his private life have again come under question over the past week, will not look back on either of Newcastle’s goals favourably. Particularly the second, when he waved Anthony Gordon inside.
City’s high defensive line didn’t do the basics properly. Josko Gvardiol struggled on the other side as well, with both full backs guilty of losing runners.
TWO very different breaks for the clubs. City are off for a week in Abu Dhabi’s warmer climes on Thursday, while Newcastle have opted against travelling to Saudi Arabia and are remaining on Tyneside instead. Both now have a fortnight off.