For the second game at St. James’ Park in a row, Manchester City scored a late goal to beat Newcastle 2-0, but Newcastle had surged late in the game, and missed some chances near the end , and we could have easily taken a point out of this game, with late substitutes Perez and Aarons giving the City defense all kinds of trouble late in the game.
David Silva put Man City ahead in first half
And one minute after Ayoze Perez came on after 83 minutes he was through on the right, then he beat his man in the box, and sent in a right foot shot that was just deflected and it grazed the outside of the post – and what a start that could have been for the 21 year-old Spaniard.
But it was not to be, and late in the game Aguero scored City’s second goal, after Tim Krul could only block the Argentines first shot, to make the score flattering for the PL Champions.
Newcastle were surging forward and Sissoko in added time put a great chance over the bar with his left foot – when he should have done much better.
We suppose on paper this looks again like a fairly easy win and City’s 11th successive victory against Newcastle, but there were a lot of positives to take out of this game.
The first half was fairly even – although Newcastle lacked bite in the final third and far too many times Riviere was up front on his own, but this lad shows a willingness to chase every ball, and he runs at the defense at the first chance he gets.
But Manchester City were probably the better side in the first half, and they went ahead with a very well worked goal down the left after 38 minutes, and Spaniard David Silva finally slotted home to put City 1-0 up at the break.
But Newcastle kept in this game, and then over the last 25 minutes the Magpies were surging forward at every opportunity, cheered on by a boisterous St. James Park crowd.
Alan Pardew brought Gabby Obertan on for Vurnon Anita after 63 minutes, and then Rolando Aarons made his debut for Newcastle when he was brought on for a hard-working Yoan Gouffran after 74 minutes.
Newcastle were starting to press City, as both Aarons and Obertan started to run at the opposing defense down the flanks.
And then Perez made his debut after 83 minutes when he came on for Riviere – who had a decent debut for Newcastle.
Sergio Aguero scores Citys second very late in the game
And in those final few minutes Newcastle had at least two gild edged chances to score when Perez ran though on the left after he had been on the field for one minute – beat his man brilliantly – and the ball would have been in the back of the net, had it not been deflected and it grazed past the post for a corner.
And then some brilliant work down the left wing saw Sissoko set up with a great chance which he blasted over the bar, when it seemed easier to stick the ball in the back of the net, and Moussa held his head in frustration.
And then what happened too many time last season – the opposition broke away and caught Newcastle short at the back, and Aguero scored City’s second.
There were a lot of positives to take out of this game, and the lads worked their socks off for the cause.
But Alan Pardew may have to think very seriously about giving Gabby Obertan, Ayoze Perez and Rolando Aarons more playing time – because they added a significant threat when they came on.
It was never a 2-0 game and with a little bit of luck we could have easily come away with a point today.
The attendance was about 1500 short of capacity.
Teams:
Newcastle: Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett; Anita (Obertan, 63), Colback; Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran (Aarons, 74); Riviere (Ayoze, 84).
Subs not used: Elliot, Haidara, S Taylor, Abeid.
Manchester City: Hart, Clichy, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Fernando, Toure, Nasri (Milner, 78), Silva, Jovetic (Fernandinho, 73), Dzeko (Aguero, 83).
Subs not used: Caballero, Boyata, Zabaleta, Navas.
Goals: Silva 38, Aguero 90
Bookings: Silva 34, Demichelis 54, Kolarov 57, Kompany 75, Janmaat 78, Fernando 88
Referee: Martin Atkinson (Bradford)
Attendance: 50,816 (3,150 City)
110 comments so far
Belfast
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:12 PM
Comment #1Quite happy with that.
Badly need a striker though
JackButler
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:13 PM
Comment #2Far better than what was expected tbh, Villa and Palace will give us a far better indication of where we are as a squad
gorgonzola ( former Pecorino former to gorgonzola)
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:13 PM
Comment #3Pardew really has no idea to build confidence in the side…
Its amazing what Mourinho did for Inter…its the same amount in reverse to NUFC….
its all about confidence…. F**K City….if we where composed we would have scored…but we are not composed…
Obertan was shot again….the lad has 0 game confidence he needs a shrink and should not be chucked in the deep end like today.
You can see if from a mile away, but except for Pards he can’t.
Rolando looked great and should be starting against weaker teams..
The things to take from the game is we need :
1. MINIMUM 1 new hungry fast talented CB
2. Finisher
toonbrother
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Comment #4Hard Working Newcastle Lose 2-0 – Youngsters Shine…but Coloshitty clouds over them with his uselessness
the truth will out
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Comment #5how come aarons gets 20 mins and others get 4 mins out of position
is ashley giving pardroop orders?
GeordieGerman
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Comment #6Looking at our game today. I think we’ll win 80 0/0 of our games. Top 7.
londonderry toon
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:15 PM
Comment #7BENTAKE OR BEN YEDDER WOULD DO WOULD LOV BA BACK Y DID WE NOT GET HIM I SUMER
yorkshire_magpie
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:15 PM
Comment #8I think everyone on here is living in dreamland if we’re going to do well under pardew. Yes he have a very good bunch of players but with pardew being in charge can’t see us doing anything.
70TWO
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:15 PM
Comment #9Same old, same old.
But I thought it was positive and once the new players start scoring all the better.
Toonacious T
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:16 PM
Comment #10I think some fans have become like echo chambers of this unambitious regime. As long as we are better than Palace and Villa then we are grand, really? We should be looking to break into the top six this season with the money we have to spend at our disposal.
mattyNUFC
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:16 PM
Comment #11My take on the match today:
Great game. First half was very poor but second half was much better. Definitely deserved a point.
Krul – 6 – Still hoofing it too much. CHs did a much better job showing for it as well.
Dummett – 4 – Should not have overlooked Haidara. Scared to show for the ball and positionally shown up against Silva nearly every time
Colo – 6 – good and bad, the usual. Great going forward (really think he should be a deep CM), poor positionally at times in the back.
Willo – 7 – solid.
Jaanmat – 5 – didn’t live up to his form from pre-season. first PL match against tough opponents though. I don’t have any worries reguarding him
Anita – 7 – calm, comfortable display
Colback – 8 – I saw him play one sloppy ball all game. Great debut from him. My MOM
Sissoko – 7 – Great endeavor, still a bit spastic at times. Continuity in the CM position will undoubtedly help.
Cabella – 7 – incredible footwork. Incredible how he weaved through three defenders with three touches towards the end of the match there. Will be a key player for us. Great workrate as well
Gouffran – 6 – great work rate. will occasionally provide that spark for us but I feel he’s a solid player….unfortunately I don’t think he has the skillset to take us to the next level if that’s what we’re purportedly attempting to accomplish
Riviere – 8 – Incredibly pacy striker. Probably needs to settle down a bit and have more composure when he has the ball, but as far as his hold up play and chasing everything down, getting freekicks out of nothing, fantastic job today.
SUBS – In context of time on the pitch
Obertan – 6 – Anonymous the first 15 minutes he was on but great final 15 minutes from him; good link up play and did well creating space on occasion.
Aarons – 5 – Nervous no doubt; a few wayward touches and passes but he’ll be fine. It didn’t help that he played predominantly with Haidara during preseason. He and Dummett were on anything but the same page
Perez – 6 – Nearly had the equalizer, great skill to get on the end of it and then turn his defender to get off the shot. Looking forward to seeing more of him. I can’t stand the 442 but it might work well with him and Riviere.
Pardew – 6 – I’m not a pardew fan at all and would rather have anyone nearly other than him, but the 2nd half was very good. I just wish he had the ball to go to a true 433 and really attack, because when we rely on our defence, we see things like the first goal today. Our skillset with the current squad is clearly getting forward. When we try to defend we end up with Riviere and Sissoko as our only attackers against 5 or 6 defenders.
Overall great display though and looking forward to what this team can do against lesser opposition.
Belfast
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:17 PM
Comment #12Thought Colback done very well.
Desperately need a top striker though, think everyone can see that.
Crawfordladd17
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:17 PM
Comment #13Dummett played alright best defender for us today. Against Aston Villa. Colback was unreal today, well done mate.
Krul
Janmaat Colo Williamson Dummett
Anita Colback
Sissoko Cabella Gourffan
Riviere
Subs:
Elliot Yanga-M’Bwia (if fit) Haidara Tiote (if fit) De Jong (if fit) Aarons Perez
If any of those aren’t fit then probably the same subs as today.
welshgeordie9
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:17 PM
Comment #14Toonacious T
So you don’t think we played well today then, and the new players were crap were they reguarding swans their fans don’t bitch and moan like some on here and they also pay good money to see them play.
yorkshire_magpie
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:18 PM
Comment #15Matty how can a team that lost have marks of 7 and 8 lol!
The Atlanta Geordie
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:18 PM
Comment #16Quite pleased with the effort today. I thought Perez looked really lively in the few minutes he was on. If Cabella could’ve created more shots, and scoring chances, could’ve been a different story. Colback impressed me
toonbrother
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Comment #17Just saw the replay and I must say I’m amazed at the ease with which the 2nd goal was scored. It was as though Aguero just looked through coloshitty like he wasnt there. Scary stuff
JackButler
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Comment #18The money is there to fill the gap’s and replace those who are not good enough, so there can be no excuses
cyprus
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Comment #19Obertan?? Come on man.
Dummett, not a bad game, but a championship player.
Rolando to change a game? Against City? Where are the senior players?
Impressed with Cabella, Siss, Riviere (not sure he’s a goal scorer}, Colo (needs a pacy partner). RB good.
Another teams fan told me, imagine Cabella, HBA bombing against defences. Yes, coach, imagine.
catchy in norway
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:20 PM
Comment #20we have got good players
who cares that they are the champions, this is the firsrt game of the sason, and nothing , nothing has changed.
both swansea and southampton had just as dificult a game as we did, and went for it for 90 mins, not just 10 mins
and city did not get out of first gear, it was like a training match for them, the amout of times they had the ball in and around our box just passing it around trying to pass the ball into the net, they could have scored 5 or 6,
dream on of you think it is going to get better
welshgeordie9
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:20 PM
Comment #21Moaning moaning always moaning
Has anybody got any headache tablets
Lovely
See what i did there with an old 90s song
mattyNUFC
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:20 PM
Comment #22yorkshire
because both colback and riviere deserved those ratings in my mind. obviously….
cyprus
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:20 PM
Comment #23Colback very good too.
welshgeordie9
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:21 PM
Comment #24Nothing pleases some people on here
Dear me
toonbrother
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:21 PM
Comment #25Just saw the replay and I must say I’m amazed at the ease with which the 2nd goal was scored. It was as though Aguero looked through coloshitty like he wasnt there like some sort of frizzy haired hologram. .Scary stuff.
bob52
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:21 PM
Comment #26Good performance first time out, lots of positives but what was Pardew thinking bringing on Obertan, he looked lost, did not track back, can’t believe the blog thought he had a good game. Colback was my pick but all new boys showed well against a well drilled city.
JackButler
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:22 PM
Comment #27Pardew saying their first goal was a good goal!!!!!!!
Sorry Alan it was shocking defending that gifted them both goals
LGFUAD21
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:22 PM
Comment #28Colo at no fault for second goal. He did the right thing which is show aguero outside.
I’d sooner see Pardew replaced by a more football mind manager but he set us up well today will cabella and Gouffran switching wings.
Don’t think city looked purely lacklustre of their own accord we had them on the back foot at times and wouldn’t let them play.
Cheer up boys your makeups running.
MassiveG
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:22 PM
Comment #29Colback was excellent as a DM pressing and turning it into attack.
Cabella and Sissoko were massive.
Janmaat a little disappointing.
Dummett was ok but don’t know what he was doing up the wing with Aarons back in left back for 5 mins, very frustrating. Aaron’s showed inexperience by dawdling before 2nd goal but can’t blame him on debut!
mattyNUFC
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:23 PM
Comment #30welshgeordie
do you contribute anything on here other than moaning about people moaning???
you’re insights about as useless as GeordieTwo’s
welshgeordie9
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:23 PM
Comment #31catchy in norway
I thought Southampton stepped up only in the 2nd half.
Mickalonius
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:23 PM
Comment #32Today had a lot of positives, we will do well this season, still have de Jong and Tiote to come in and maybe a new striker and centre back ? Fingers crossed…
JackButler
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:23 PM
Comment #33“Our two centre half’s played well today”
FFS give me strength
toonking
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:23 PM
Comment #34matt
i can see him playing a more threatening 4-3-3 this season but you need to remember manchester city are the champions, newcastle united are a team who have got a very poor defence, you saw what happened when we were all forward they broke away on the counter, scored twice and there were a few which we got lucky and deflected.
our season doesn’t really start until next week and hopefully we will have tiote and de jong back for that game too.
4231 would be how i see us playing against teams such as city and liverpool
4-3-3 against the rest
Toonacious T
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:23 PM
Comment #35Welsh Geordie- I absolutely think we were much better than the same fixture last season but I also think that the club itself identified the need for a CB as much as two seasons ago when they first went after Douglas. The fact we are starting with Collo and Willo two years on is plain negligence. I also think that Pardew telling us one week we still need a striker and then saying he is happy with what he has got the next is an insult to our intelligence as fans. I also fully reject the premise that you are in some way disloyal or negatively affecting team morale by expressing critical concerns on a fan blog.
thebionicMAG
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:24 PM
Comment #36How can we have Obertan on the bench and not Benny? Sh(i)t decision.
TikiTakaAcca
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:25 PM
Comment #37People are so deluded.
‘We desperately need a top striker’
What would a good striker have done today that Riviere didn’t ?
Absolutely nothing.
The guy fed off scraps most of the game & did well when he had the ball.
Was impressed.
It was against City, he was up top on his own against the meanest CB in the league.
Give the guy a break.
JackButler
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:25 PM
Comment #38Pardew says that #NUFC will “watch the market” but that he’s pleased with the squad.
Cheque book securely locked away it seems
Markaccus
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:26 PM
Comment #39Problems today (appart from defensive snoozing for certainly goal one)…
We need the attacking players to commit a bit more when we are in and around the box. I dont quite think the communication is up to scratch yet so you get a kind of “you go? No i will go. No you” kind of situation, and in the end no one goes 😀
This was better in the last half hour, so i am sure we can sort it.
Secondly, final ball execution. Its just not right. The final pass goes missing even when there is support, or the forwards lack the composure to get it right. This hopefully will also come good.
Had this happened against someone like burnley i would be worried, but it was against the defending champions, who in the end went defensive due to our pressure, so imho there is plenty to build on.
welshgeordie9
Aug 17, 2014 at 6:27 PM
Comment #40mattyNUFC
i only moan about supporters who are nothing but negative, don’t get me wrong i moan but i try to weigh the positives and the negatives but a lot on here only pick out the negatives and that winds me up.