The Newcastle United star who got under Jack Grealish's skin - and another who is back to his best
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That was more like it. This definitely felt a lot more like the Newcastle United of old.
Having fallen behind to a Josko Gvardiol opener in an even first half, the Magpies roared back in the second, inspired in no small part by Anthony Gordon. He won the penalty and dispatched it, that saw a point rescued from behind.
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Hide AdBut what did we take away from the encounter? Here’s our weekly FIVE things...
Intensity is again Newcastle’s identity
Newcastle have been famed the nation over for their ability to outrun, hassle and press any team out of time and possession, bar none. It was a system and style forged in 2022/23, taken on a bit last campaign, but seemingly lost to the annals of time this. Not so!
Eddie Howe deserves credit for the way he went back to the drawing board, and squeezed a 22/23 style performance out of the Magpies, a place they looked so distant from just seven days earlier at Craven Cottage.
This performance had energy, was high pressing, disciplined in defence and a threat on the break. In short, it was near perfect, given what was needed on the day.
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Hide AdIntensity is back, but now the big job is making sure it stays.
Hall of fame
Lewis Hall has made his name at Newcastle being a very forward-thinking full-back, who maybe needs some work defensively. You wouldn’t have guessed that from his show on Saturday. The former Chelsea man put his body on the line at every opportunity, stopping and blocking everything that came his way.
He had the odd lapse, yes, but that happens to everyone against the best team on the planet. At 20, however, there is so much to like about the technically gifted lad, who gives the team real balance and purpose.
It needed a rear-guard action this weekend and he showed he can do both.
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Hide AdTonali bursts on to the scene
This was the first time since the start of last season that Howe has went with his, on paper, strongest midfield three - and it’s fair to say it worked.
Having put in his worst EVER show in black and white last week, Bruno Guimaraes was everywhere this, Joelinton was a beast beside him, and making up the combative trio was Tonali, who after a quiet 45, burst on to the scene in the second period.
Quite simply, for around 20 minutes after Newcastle scored, he was unplayable. He got right under Jack Grealish’s skin, and began popping up in dangerous positions on the right, much like Sean Longstaff can, but with added technicality.
What it really proves is, we need to see more of the Italian. We need to see what, when given a run, he adds to the XI. The early signs are good.
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Hide AdNewcastle’s TRUE leader
He may not have the armband any longer, Bruno is the worthy recipient of that this season, but that does not stop Kieran Trippier showing his true leadership qualities from right-back.
Trippier’s experience and nous shone through against City, as he barked out orders and organised around him - it’s been a long while since we’ve heard or seen the former England hero so vocal.
A captain can never do it alone, and United need all the leaders they can get. Trippier, without doubt, remains one of Newcastle’s main men.
He’s BACK - AG10/10
We’ve all seen it. Howe admitted it, too. Gordon has just not been the same this season - and, I suppose, it kind of tallies with the team overall.
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Hide AdHe was always the man who ran harder than anyone, chased every lost cause, inspired with his attitude.
This season, he was lacking in that department, and his body language looked poor. Maybe, we’ve now found the answer.
After the match, when confirming his bumper new deal, the England international explained how he now feels 90% fit. Maybe that was it all along. Maybe those dropped shoulders at Wolves and Fulham were just that, a player not upset at the summer, more frustrated at not performing like he knows how.
He was definitely THAT man v Man City. Long may it continue.
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