Man City WERE Beaten!

What a game, what a performance, what a result.

Here is a link to the highlights

Newcastle 2-1 Man City: Harvey Barnes scores twice in thrilling win - BBC Sport

This was one of those magical games under the lights at SJP that will long live in the memory as much for the quality of the performance as the mad emotions it sparked.

I don't think I could sum up that atmosphere better than Luke Edwards, so I'm not going to try.

Here is what he wrote...

It was a game that grabbed your attention and placed you in a headlock.

A game of such speed, physicality, quality and drama that you felt as exhausted as the players at the end of it.

St James’ Park was at its seething, baying, delirious best.

In a game that crackled and exploded from start to finish the goal action was packed into just seven short mad minutes.

The senses were hammered as delerium was floored by agony, only for delerium to erupt again like a volcano when the lead was restored by the imperious Harvey Barnes,

It was a double dose of delerium as a delayed VAR check then took an agonising age before it was deemed there was no case to answer for a Barnes foul or offside.

A second wave of tumult and noise nearly blew the roof off SJP as Pep wailed and flayed around at the decision adding to the drama and mad scenes.

Days and moments like this are what makes being a fan an utter and total joy.

We said we could beat Man City and we did...

But. this result carries a double edged sword.

Despite our indifferent form that, in truth, has lasted since that glorious day at Wembley, what is unchanged is that we have a squad packed with quality who are capable of beating any team on their day.

The big problem is that for months there haven't been enough of those days.

Yesterday proved that the old mantra of 'intensity is our identity' which once served us so well - and which has eroded over time like a flaky seaside cliff - is still the way to turn out top performances and results.

That erosion is evident from a stat which show that last season we outran teams in over 50% if games and that has now fallen to just over 20%.

My guess is that in the 23/24 season that stat would have been closer to 70% when our high press game was at its peak. Now, it has literally dropped off a cliff.

If Eddie wants a quick fix to our form it is there staring him in the face.

I get that we have a packed fixture list but rotation is the key and the simple fact is Eddie has to judge who is capable of extended high octane games and who needs an earlier break.

We can't use being in four competitions as an excuse for low octane tactics or performances.

433, 451, 4411... count for nothing without maximum effort every game.

Fans, including me and on the blog, have theorised that a change of formation could help us turn the corner and power back up the league.

That might well be true, but without a repeat of the effort shown yesterday it won't be a miracle fix and cure all.

Tino and Hall undoubtedly made a huge difference as their pace, energy and attacking force highlighted the deficiencies of the increasingly ponderous Trippier and Burn.

Eddie has to make Tino and Hall a nailed on first choice at FB.

But, they can't change the whole team performance on their own.

Every player needs to step up as they did yesterday.

Away at Everton is another Judgement Day

You will notice that I haven't overly wallowed in lauding yesterday's performance and result, as good and as fantastic as it was.

Why? Because it will be just a joyous but brief blip if we don't produce the same effort, performance and result at Everton.

The Man City result has given us a springboard to launch our assault on the top 4 in one of the most open Prem seasons in years.

We need to dive in and like Olympic champions come up with straight 10 scores.

Starting in another 17.30pm KO at the Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday.

Marseille? Whatever the result Judgement Day is at Everton.

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