Newcastle’s nightmare continued, while Kevin De Bruyne rediscovered his superhero cape, as Manchester City snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory at St. James’ Park.
Seeking to snap their three-game skid, the Magpies seemed to have found a lifeline when Longstaff, albeit offside, sent chills down City’s spine early on. However, the cheers were short-lived, as Ederson’s heroic dive to deny the goal resulted in an unwanted substitution, forcing Ortega to take the gloves.
Silva’s moment of magic in the 26th minute, a deft flick after Walker’s precise delivery, looked to have set City on course. But Newcastle, refusing to go down without a fight, roared back. A swift counter saw Guimarães tee up Isak, who calmly slotted past Ortega, and moments later, Gordon put the Magpies ahead with a clinical finish from Burn’s cross.
City dominated the second half but lacked a spark. Enter De Bruyne, the Belgian maestro. Within minutes of his 69th-minute substitution, his magic wand produced a scorching strike from the edge of the box, equalizing in stunning fashion.
Unrelenting, City pressed for the winner, and De Bruyne once again donned the hero’s cloak. His inch-perfect pass dissected Newcastle’s defense, setting young Bobb free. The Norwegian coolly rounded Dubravka to seal a dramatic comeback in injury time.
This win extends City’s winning streak across all competitions to six, while Newcastle’s misery deepens with their sixth defeat in seven league games. Here’s a closer look at the game’s biggest hits and flops:
Hits:
- De Bruyne’s transformative cameo
- City’s resilience in the face of adversity
- Newcastle’s fighting spirit, despite the result
Flops:
- Ederson’s untimely injury
- Newcastle’s defensive lapses in the second half
- City’s inability to break down the Magpies before De Bruyne’s arrival
Top Performers:
- Alexander Isak: The Swedish striker’s speed and finishing prowess caused constant trouble for City’s defense, and his goal showcased his impressive adaptation to the Premier League.
- Bernardo Silva: The Portuguese maestro was a creative sparkplug, opening the scoring with a clever flick and showcasing his passing range throughout the match.
- Kevin De Bruyne: The Belgian magician injected instant energy after coming on as a substitute, scoring a stunning equaliser and providing the decisive assist for the winner.
Areas for Improvement
- Kyle Walker: Despite his early assist, Walker struggled defensively against Isak and Gordon, contributing to both Newcastle goals.
- Jeremy Doku: The young winger had a quiet night, unable to replicate his usual attacking threat due to tight marking from Newcastle.
Additional Observations:
- City’s resilience and De Bruyne’s brilliance were crucial in securing the victory.
- Newcastle showed great fight despite the loss, particularly through the attacking efforts of Isak and Gordon.
- Both teams will look to refine their defensive setups to improve their results in the upcoming matches.