‘A liability’ - Newcastle United player ratings as Manchester City hit Eddie Howe’s side for five
Newcastle United player ratings from the 5-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle United were defeated 5-0 by Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
A Raheem Sterling double and goals from Aymeric Laporte and Rodri inflicted a heavy defeat on the Magpies, who suffered a late collapse with two goals conceded in the closing stages.
A positive for Eddie Howe & Co was Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier’s return. Both players were introduced for the remaining 20 minutes.
Eddie Howe named three changes to the side that lost to Liverpool 1-0 last Saturday.
Jamaal Lascelles came in for Fabian Schar, who was only fit enough to make the bench after limping off against Reds.
The injured Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock dropped out of the starting XI - and matchday squad - with Sean Longstaff and Chris Wood recalled.
Wood, starting for the first time since the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, missed a fantastic chance early doors as he headed Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross straight at Ederson.
United were competitive against City - even edging the possession stats inside the opening quarter of an hour - but fell behind on 19 minutes.
Ilkay Gundogan’s lofted cross to the back post was met by the unmarked Joao Cancelo, who directed the ball into the path of Sterling, who headed home.
Not long after, the Magpies saw an equaliser ruled out for an offside on Bruno Guimaraes. Wood scuffed home from a Matt Targett corner but Guimaraes was penalised after blocking Jamaal Lascelles’ goalbound effort.
Pep Guardiola’s men doubled their advantage on 38 minutes after an error from Dubravka. The Slovakian failed to hold Gundogan’s powerful volley and spilled it into the path of Laporte.
Rodri added a third on the hour-mark when he raced to the front post to head home Kevin De Bruyne’s corner.
And City added gloss on the display during injury time when Phil Foden and another Sterling effort inflicted a heavy loss on Howe’s men.
Here, our writer Jordan Cronin dishes out his Newcastle United player ratings from the defeat.
1. Martin Dubravka - 6
It was Dubravka’s error that led to City’s second goal as he failed to hold Gundogan’s volley, which Laporte captialised on. Later pulled off a world-class save to deny Zinchenko. Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY
2. Emil Krafth - 5
Was always going to be up against it when facing Grealish. Actually performed OK in the game until he allowed Rodri get ahead of him to head hom City’s third.
3. Jamaal Lascelles - 6
Lascelles, starting just his third game since mid-February, was a threat from corners for United and produced a goal-saving sliding challenge to deny Foden. Photo: Alex Livesey
4. Dan Burn - 6
Had his hands full with De Bruyne’s bursting runs from midfield. Played Foden onside for City’s fourth goal on 90 minutes. Photo: Stu Forster