Manchester City and Newcastle United shared the spoils on a sunny afternoon at St James' Park.
It was an end to end encounter, with both sides leaving a good account of themselves. In a game that could be considered an advert for the Premier League, it'll be the visitors most disappointed with the result. As one could expect, City ran the show for most of the proceedings; however, that isn't to say The Magpies weren't without merit.
The visitors took the lead in the opening five minutes through German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan. Whilst one would expect the typical rout, Newcastle did not roll over.
Miguel Almiron equalised for the hosts, before striker Callum Wilson gave them the lead, on the 39th minute. Captain Kieran Trippier gave Newcastle a two-goal cushion just after the interval with a smashing free-kick.
Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva managed to restore parity within 10 minutes of Trippier's strike. Newcastle were briefly reduced to 10 men with 15 to go, before VAR reprieved goal scorer Trippier. The two sides shared the spoils, and deservedly so.
The result means both Newcastle and City remain unbeaten three games into the season.
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Story of the match
Eddie Howe and Newcastle would've hoped for a resolute defensive performance as they headed into the match against the reigning Premier League champions. It was an unchanged lineup for the hosts, while City saw Algerian Riyad Mahrez replaced by Portuguese man Bernardo Silva and defender Ruben Dias drop to the bench for Englishman John Stones.
It wasn't to be the defensive performance that Howe would've wanted, with German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan scoring the opener inside the first five minutes. The City captain knocked in a cross from Silva, following an excellent bit of play down the Newcastle left by the FC Barcelona target. This goal only seemed to spur on The Magpies, as they saw the better if the play following this.
Embed from Getty Images - Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City scores their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Paraguayan winger Miguel Almiron had a great chance not long after the opener, skying an Allan Saint-Maximin cross over the bar from only 10-yards out. Almiron would redeem himself soon after equalising from close-range, despite strong shouts for offside. Only 10 minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead. This time forward Callum Wilson worked some space with an excellent first touch and smashed passed Ederson in between the sticks.
It would've been a dream half-time team talk for Eddie Howe and it would only get better for the hosts. This time captain Kieran Trippier smashed a rasping free-kick into the top-left corner of the City goal. Unfortunately for Newcastle, this seemed to spark the champions into life.
Embed from Getty Images - Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United scores their side's third goal from a free kick as Ederson of Manchester City attempts to make a save during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
- Haaland and Silva save City
New summer signing Erling Haaland waited just five minutes to pull one back. The Norwegian had been sharp all game, hitting the post and forcing Newcastle number one Nick Pope into a number of saves. On the hour-mark he finally grabbed his goal, smashing in from close-range after reacting quickest to a loose ball. City levelled it up soon after, this time Bernardo Silva slotting passed Pope following a lovely through-ball from Belgian Kevin de Bruyne.
Man City continued to knock on the door as they went in search of a winner. They thought they were handed a boost, when Newcastle captain Trippier scythed down De Bruyne just over the halfway line. Referee Jared Gillett reached for the red card and dismissed the hosts' right-back. VAR intervened and elected that the challenge was only worthy of a yellow card, saving Trippier from an early bath.
Embed from Getty Images - Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United is shown a red card by referee Jarred Gillett which is later overturned to a yellow card during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Despite their best efforts, the visitors couldn't break down a resolute Magpies side. The match remained 3-3 and each side picked up a point, however, Newcastle may see this as two points dropped rather than one gained. The match leaves both teams unbeaten after three games. City have picked up seven points, whilst Newcastle have grabbed five for their troubles.
The Magpies find themselves sat in sixth in the Premier League table, whilst City move up to second, two points behind Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
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Player of the Match: Allan Saint-Maximin
French winger Allan Saint-Maximin was fantastic for The Magpies today. Perhaps one of the most polarising players in the Premier League, Saint-Maximin's talent is clear. Today, he was instrumental in everything good that Newcastle did. He picked up two assists today, setting up Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson. Throughout the whole game, City didn't know what to do with him.
Embed from Getty Images - Kyle Walker of Manchester City challenges Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on August 21, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Newcastle fans will be hoping that Saint-Maximin can carry the momentum from this performance into his next games, picking up the consistency he has lacked during his time in England.
