Newcastle 1 – 3 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
27 Dec
On Boxing Day, the anniversary of Roberto Mancini’s first match in charge, City delivered a knockout blow with a battling performance away to Newcastle. A blistering opening twenty minutes, during which the Blues scored twice, set the tone for victory, and although the home side, on the ropes in the early stages, never threw in the towel, they were outfought and outclassed by City.
Goals from Gareth Barry and Carlos Tévez within the first five minutes knocked the stuffing (pun intended) out of Newcastle as the Blues started at a ferocious pace, and it could have been more as City were rampant, intent on dispelling the negativity after the Everton loss. The tempo settled towards the end of the first half and Newcastle came out all guns blazing in the second period. Andy Carroll levelled from a corner with twenty minutes to go but a Carlos Tévez shot, via a huge deflection off Fabricio Coloccini, settled the nerves and eased the Blues to a deserved win.
With regards to team selection, Roberto Mancini was devoid of the services of Kolo Touré, so opted to replace the Ivorian with Joleon Lescott. The versatile Pablo Zabaleta was still suffering slightly from the head injury he suffered against Everton so Jérome Boateng started at right-back. The return of Nigel de Jong meant that James Milner shifted out to the wing, with temperamental Italian Mario Balotelli dropping to the bench.
Clearly fuelled by the festive spirit, Tim Krul, the Newcastle first choice goalkeeper, gifted City the first goal. His appalling pass out to a defender was collected with open arms by Tévez, who played an inch perfect pass to Gareth Barry and the England man scored his first goal since August, driving the ball between the ‘keeper’s legs.
One became two just moments later when a quick break by the Blues saw Tévez find Milner, a former Newcastle player, on the wing. His first time cross into the box was perfectly weighted for the Argentine, who guided the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot. It was an electric start and Mancini had the response he wanted.
That was the end of the goalscoring action in the first half, although City were looking ever so comfortable. As the second period started, Newcastle needed a mammoth effort to acquire a share of the spoils, and despite no goal to show for their work, they had the majority of possession and were threatening the Blues’ goal.
As City struggled to take the sting out of the game, Newcastle took advantage. Barton, so abysmal from set-pieces for City, swung over a corner and as Kevin Nolan blocked off Joe Hart, Carroll headed home to give the home side some hope. But that hope was quickly dashed as City counter-attacked with pace and put the result beyond doubt.
Neat interplay on the left between Barry, Milner, Johnson and Tévez culminated in the Argentine poking home, courtesy of a helpful delfection off Coloccini’s derriere. The scoreline certainly didn’t flatter the Blues, who continued an impressive run of form away from home and have now taken 31 points from a possible 36 when scoring first in matches this season. A good win and second in the league as I write this – a very welcome belated Christmas present.
“on the ropes in the early stages, never threw in the towel, they were outfought and outclassed by City”
>>> Completely disagree. Newcastle were much better than us. We got a flukey first goal to get us going and a lucky deflection in the second half. On another day and with Carroll on form, Newcastle could have scored 10. They outplayed us and I was nervous watching it. Im no pessimist, but they were the better side.
“The versatile Pablo Zabaleta was still suffering slightly”
>>> SLIGHTLY?! Under-statement of 2010. Did you see him on the bench, two black eyes and wrapped in bandages! he’s a trooper though!
“Tévez, who played an inch perfect pass to Gareth Barry and the England man scored his first goal since August, driving the ball between the ‘keeper’s legs.”
>>> Nice to see Tevez pass in that position, and what a finish. Shows how poorly Yaya played because that should have been him up the field, not Barry! All credit to Barry though for finishing it off, and also credit to Silva for hassling the keeper.
Good review though, im content! Perfectly content!
Not surprisingly, I agree more with the first comment than the actual report. Not sure about scoring 10 goals but other than starting poorly and gifting you 2 goals, I thought we were the more likely to get something. But great 2nd goal and sucker punch. We were fairly predictable until Ranger came on and you played some good football but can’t help thinking you’ve nicked 6 points off us this season. Used to have a soft spot for City in the days of David White but a few things have put me off in recent.seasons
bowburnmag – thanks for the comment. Responses from opposition fans are always welcome, even if they’re negative!!
I’ve just seen the forum thread where you found the link on vitalnewcastle and feel I have to stick up for myself. I find it totally bizarre how I can be criticised (in such appalling and vulgar language) so heavily on that forum for what, when you read it again, is a balanced and unbiased article…
Reading my article again, I’ve not exactly been controversial or confrontational. All I said in regards to the two teams was that City ‘outfought and outclassed’ Newcastle and ‘deserved the victory’. Not exactly too far wrong!!
For an away side to score three goals against a decent side like Newcastle takes some doing. We dominated the midfield battle, nullifying the effect of people like Barton and Nolan who have been so good this season. Your only hope was hoofing it long to Carroll, which Kompany and Lescott handled fairly well.
I’m struggling to think of what saves you forced Hart into making. A low Barton free-kick is one, but you didn’t create that much.
Away from home, we play on the counter-attack. Soak up possession and then push forward with our quality players. And as it has done so often this season, it worked.
Don’t be so bitter. I’ve actually prasied your team if you care to read the article again. Have a bit of dignity and don’t just slag off writers who are fair and report the game in a balanced way. Now go and tell that to your fellow forum friends.
As a Newcastle fan, I’d love to see City overturn their neighbours and pinch The Premiership, but I can’t see it happening this season. Still too many individuals and not a team yet.
Disagree with the match report, above – thought we (Newcastle) were the better team. Gifted you the opening goal, but great Tevez goal for second.
I honestly thought we’d get the equalizer for 2-2, then go on to win, but not to be.
We were not on form but we battled and got what we deserved, a good away win. Newcastle came at us and had the lion’s share of the possession, but then again they were the home team who were also 2-0 down after 5 minutes. The main things in the match for me were the positive performance of Mr Carlos Tevez after his recent shenanigans, and yet another woeful and biased showing by the referee against us. That guy just did not want us to win yesterday and as the game stood 2-1 you could almost see his will for a Newcastle goal spill over. I bet he cried himself to sleep last night over his failure to thwart us, either that or his rang the guy from monday night, Walton, for tips on how to make sure of this. I just hope that if there is some kind of anti City agenda going on at the FA the good man that is David Bernstein will weed it out. Just in case any of you think I’m paranoid by saying these things I’d just like to let you know that all three of my therapists say I am not!
You appear to be butchering me for being some kind of spokesperson for the forum? I saw the link on newsnow initially and just decided to leave some feedback. Feel free to get on TOTT and let them know your feelings. The language is not to everyone’s taste but the forum doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is.
As far as my comments go, I just agreed with the other City fella. I honestly thought you called it wrong. I didn’t see you outclass and certainly didn’t see you outfight us. Two opposing fans who differ in their views of a match, who’dathunkit?
Im a City fan and have to agree im afraid.
Agree with bowburnmag that is!
However, it does appear that you have the knack of successful teams in playing below par or being up against it and still come out with the goods.
bowburnmag, apologies for taking out my anger on you. You’re correct in suggesting that I used you as the spokesperson. Sorry.
But it was a comment more generally aimed at the forum, and in particular, at the moron Toon_Demon. His first comment made me laugh to be honest. To quote ”
I admit i didn’t see the match but judging from the stats his blue tinted glasses must be fucking opaque.”
It amazes that someone who didn’t see the game feels fit to criticise this review! He can only base his judgements on the game from brief highlights, sure to focus on the shots and goals, rather than the general play…
As for the stats, when City lost to Everton, we had 25 shots on goal, as opposed to their 4, yet they deserved the win. They defended solidly and blocked numerous attempts. We had so much more possession that day because they let us have the ball in our own half, but then pressed when we advanced. And we did the same to Newcastle. For all your shots, what serious saves did Hart have to make??
His next quote: ”
Take those two early mistakes out and we’d have picked up a point comfortably, and probably nicked all three.” – WELL, that is possibly one of most stupid things I’ve ever read!! Take out United’s two goals against Sunderland yesterday, and they would have drawn. Forget Everton’s two early goals against us and we would have won 1-0!! Does this person know what he’s on about?!?!?
Anyway, that’s not a rant at you, but a go at Toon_Demon who hasn’t a clue what he’s on about. I get praise off opposition fans every week, just a shame that Newcastle fans are different…
I’ve just got around to writing my own version of the truth.
http://www.newcastle.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchrep.asp?a=225910
Feel free to disagree with it entirely…
I will check it tomorrow in detail. Just saw the ending now – you would only have 3 of the City team!! Try:
Hart
Boateng/ Zabaleta Touré Kompany Kolarov
De Jong
Barton (on current form, but not normally) Barry
Silva
Carroll Tevez
Newcastle fan here
City deserved their win, i agree with that… BUT, they didnt outcalss or outfight Newcastle. Saying that makes it look like you are incapable of giving a fair view and taking of your blue glasses, which makes me feel like i wasted my time reading this.
If your argument is that city have the better team on paper, then no one can argue. If you say that City will finish much higher in the table, then i would have to agree, but stating that this match was won because you outclassed and outfought us is deluded nonsense.
The reason you derserved the vitory was simply down to the fact that mistakes such as the ones we made, deserves to be punished, end of.