Manchester City struggled to cope with the absence of Rodri as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Newcastle, marking their second consecutive game without a Premier League win. Rodri, sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury sustained during the previous weekend’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal, left a noticeable void in City’s midfield. Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead at St. James’ Park, but Newcastle equalized through Anthony Gordon’s second-half penalty.
City now lead the Premier League by just two points, but Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal could overtake them by the end of the weekend. Pep Guardiola acknowledged Rodri’s significance, describing him as “irreplaceable,” yet he remains determined to find a collective solution. Teenager Rico Lewis was paired with Mateo Kovacic in midfield, but City lacked the usual control Rodri brings.
Newcastle, despite missing key players like last season’s top scorer Alexander Isak, performed well. Gvardiol’s goal, set up by Jack Grealish, was a well-taken low shot, but City missed a chance to extend their lead when Nick Pope’s poor clearance fell to Ilkay Gundogan, whose lob attempt was mistimed. Newcastle began to threaten late in the first half, with Joelinton forcing a save from Ederson.
In the second half, Newcastle came out stronger and earned a penalty when Anthony Gordon was brought down by Ederson. Gordon converted the spot-kick to level the game. Newcastle’s energized home crowd pushed the Magpies, keeping the pressure on City until the final whistle.
Referee Jarred Gillett turned down appeals for a second penalty when Kyle Walker challenged Joelinton before Ederson flew off his line to deny Gordon.
Guardiola responded with the introduction of last season’s Premier League player of the year in Phil Foden and City turned the momentum around to finish strongly.
Foden had City’s best chance to snatch all three points when he fired too close to Pope.
And Pope was needed to produce a stunning save from Bernardo Silva’s volley.
Haaland also headed at the goalkeeper in stoppage time as the Norwegian was held scoreless for the first time in the Premier League this season.
City could still have suffered their first defeat of the season had Sean Longstaff not pulled a great chance wide in the final 10 minutes.
But the dropped points offer more encouragement to City’s title rivals that their grip on the title is beginning to loosen.
