Newcastle United player ratings v Man City: 'World class' 9/10 & 'flawless' 8.5/10 in 2-1 win

A Harvey Barnes double gave Newcastle United a 2-1 win over Manchester City at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe made three changes from the 3-1 defeat to Brentford, as Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Fabian Schar came in for Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Sven Botman.

Trippier picked up a hamstring injury in training this week, while Hall replaced the suspended Dan Burn. Schar was preferred over Botman, who dropped to the bench. Newcastle remained without Anthony Gordon, Yoane Wissa and Will Osula.

The Magpies headed into the game sitting 15th in the Premier League table and one point above the relegation zone following back-to-back away defeats to West Ham United and Brentford.

And they should have led inside the opening 30 seconds when Joelinton robbed Phil Foden of possession and the ball fell to Harvey Barnes. The winger only had Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat, but he aimed his shot straight at the Italian goalkeeper.

Seconds later, Erling Haaland raced through on goal but couldn’t bend his shot around the on-rushing Nick Pope.

The chances continued at both ends. Donnarumma twice denied Nick Woltemade before Barnes failed to convert from close range from Jacob Murphy’s low cross.

Pope then kept out Haaland with a point-blank save before Foden saw a shot drift narrowly past the post on the brink of half-time.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 63rd minute and it was third time lucky for Barnes as he beat Donnarumma from distance. The lead, however, lasted just five minutes as Ruben Dias’ shot went in off Schar.

Newcastle themselves produced a quick response with Barnes making it 2-1. VAR checked to see if Bruno Guimaraes was offside in the build-up but the goal stood.

Here are our Newcastle United player ratings:

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