Life with out Rodri started awkwardly for Manchester Metropolis, who fell to an uncomfortable 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday.
Metropolis have been beneath stress for big components of the sport however did take the lead by Josko Gvardiol within the first half, just for Anthony Gordon to transform a penalty after the break and earn the Magpies a well-deserved share of the spoils.
How the sport unfolded
Newcastle made a energetic begin to proceedings and confirmed little or no worry within the face of the guests, however the first half-sight of purpose fell to Metropolis. Manuel Akanji collected Jack Grealish’s cut-back 5 minutes in however noticed his effort deflected huge.
Metropolis managed possession however regarded weak on the again, with Newcastle repeatedly getting in down the appropriate wing. Jacob Murphy’s devilish cross fizzed previous the field, earlier than Kieran Trippier’s strike took the wind out of a lunging Grealish.
Towards the run of play, Metropolis took the lead with ten minutes remaining within the first half. The energetic Grealish obtained past Trippier and performed in to Gvardiol, who minimize inside Dan Burn and slotted a composed effort into the underside nook.
Ilkay Gundogan tried to double Metropolis’s benefit after Nick Pope’s poor move however, slightly than attempt to work a two-on-one with Erling Haaland, despatched a tame chip into the grateful arms of the retreating Newcastle stopper.
Within the dying embers of the primary half, Ederson wanted to make his first actual save to cease a crashing strike from Joelinton, earlier than Harvey Barnes noticed his effort deflected huge.
The excessive tempo of the sport continued into the second half and Newcastle have been awarded the prospect to get again into proceedings when Gordon was tripped by Ederson as he tried to around the Metropolis goalkeeper. Gordon stepped as much as the spot and made no mistake to tie issues up shortly earlier than the hour mark.
Substitute Phil Foden fired straight at Pope as Metropolis tried to reclaim their benefit, earlier than a pissed off Haaland skewed a troublesome header huge on the again publish.
Each side tried till the ultimate whistle to discover a successful purpose, and Pope needed to be alert to make a wonderful late save from Bernardo Silva, however there was to be no separating the 2 groups earlier than the ultimate whistle.
GK: Nick Pope – 6/10 – Wasn’t notably busy however his poor move maybe ought to have seen Metropolis double their benefit late within the first half. An incredible late save to disclaim Silva.
RB: Kieran Trippier – 6/10 – Largely spectacular, notably in assault, however was crushed by Grealish for Metropolis’s opening purpose.
CB: Fabian Schar – 6/10 – Appeared a bit of too preoccupied with making an attempt to battle Grealish. Usually caught out of place.
CB: Dan Burn – 6/10 – Ought to have achieved higher for Gvardiol’s purpose however was an actual menace for Haaland all through. Grew into the sport as issues progressed.
LB: Lewis Corridor – 7/10 – Performed some good passes and was a menace from set-pieces, however struggled to get into harmful areas in assault. Actually good defensively.
DM: Bruno Guimaraes – 7/10 – Pressed with actual power to assist Newcastle win the midfield battle, maybe even overstepping the road at instances. Stepped his recreation up after the break.
CM: Sandro Tonali – 6/10 – His presence contributed to Newcastle’s midfield overload, however the Italian left a bit of to be desired. Ultimate ball was lacking.
CM: Joelinton – 7/10 – A large affect at each ends of the sector within the first half. His power was key to Newcastle’s success.
RW: Jacob Murphy – 6/10 – Ran with power and performed a handful of good crosses, however might by no means discover his man.
ST: Anthony Gordon – 7/10 – Clearly not a pure striker however by no means stopped operating to attempt to make up for it. Received the penalty and confirmed actual composure to crash house.
LW: Harvey Barnes – 6/10 – One other prepared runner. Barnes pressed with critical power however could not discover a approach round.
Substitutes
SUB: Joe Willock (77′ for Barnes) – 6/10
SUB: Sean Longstaff (77′ for Tonali) – 6/10
SUB: Tino Livramento (77′ for Trippier) – 6/10
Subs not used: Martin Dubravka (GK), Alex Murphy, Emil Krafth, Lloyd Kelly, Miguel Almiron, Will Osula
Supervisor
Eddie Howe – 7/10 – Newcastle weren’t petrified of Metropolis right here. They took the sport to Guardiola’s facet and a degree was the very least they deserved for a courageous, structured efficiency.
GK: Ederson – 6/10 – A wise save to disclaim Joelinton late within the first half. Could not do a complete lot with the penalty he conceded.
RB: Kyle Walker – 7/10 – Wanted all his athleticism to maintain up with Barnes and Gordon. Key to Metropolis’s defensive efforts.
CB: Ruben Dias – 6/10 – Not at all times convincing however largely did a strong job of forcing Newcastle out huge.
CB: Manuel Akanji – 6/10 – Stepped forwards into midfield however repeatedly misplaced out. Even managed a handful of photographs on purpose.
LB: Josko Gvardiol – 7/10 – Uncovered defensively by Metropolis’s early techniques, Gvardiol often received his battles on the again after which took issues into his personal arms with a composed end up the opposite finish.
DM: Mateo Kovacic – 6/10 – An aesthetic efficiency with the ball at his ft, finishing almost each move he tried, however did not exert the extent of management Metropolis wanted when the stress was on.
DM: Rico Lewis – 6/10 – Bought himself into some good positions and stored issues easy, however regarded a bit of nervous when Newcastle’s energetic press got here at him.
RM: Bernardo Silva – 5/10 – Fairly quiet. Did not get a lot change out of Corridor in anyway and didn’t affect the sport.
AM: Ilkay Gundogan – 4/10 – Visibly off the tempo. Made a sequence of poor selections, together with his tame try to lob Pope.
LM: Jack Grealish – 7/10 – Metropolis’s largest attacking menace from the primary whistle. Sensible footwork and a pleasant move for Gvardiol’s purpose.
ST: Erling Haaland – 5/10 – Picked up a knock on his ankle early on and by no means regarded comfy. Was extra concerned defending corners than he was in assault.
Substitutes
SUB: Phil Foden (66′ for Gundogan) – 7/10
SUB: Savinho (81′ for Lewis) – N/A
SUB: Jeremy Doku (81′ for Grealish) – N/A
Subs not used: Stefan Ortega (GK), Scott Carson (GK), John Stones, James McAtee, Matheus Nunes
Supervisor
Pep Guardiola – 5/10 – Rodri’s absence was sorely felt right here as Metropolis not often regarded just like the world-beaters we all know they’re. The midfield battle was comfortably received by Newcastle, which means Metropolis by no means obtained going.
