Erling Haaland's 'stay humble' taunt backfires as Newcastle United intensity returns
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had admitted it might take some time for the all-important intensity at St James' Park to make a long-awaited return. But perhaps even he was surprised how quickly it started to seep through again as Man City stars Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish were left in a spin.
As the visitors threatened to take control against United they were quickly put back in their place at St James' Park. With Howe's threats of being benched still ringing in the ears of Newcastle stars after a week of investigation behind the scenes, the tackles began flying in on a sunny afternoon.
Dan Burn put a hole in Halaand's sock with a tasty challenge in the first half, Sandro Tonali threw Jack Grealish around at will and when it was needed Nick Pope's meaty reducer on the Norway international reminded him where he was. Haaland had last been seen on our screens mouthing "stay humble" to Gabriel Jesus in the feisty 2-2 draw against Arsenal last weekend, but despite being rested in midweek for the Carabao Cup tie against Watford, won 2-1 by City, he soon realised he was not going to get his own way at a packed St James'.
READ MORE:Alan Shearer and Micah Richards agree after Gary Lineker's Newcastle United claim
READ MORE:Anthony Gordon justifies new contract, Man City 'dark arts': Newcastle national media verdict
Howe enjoyed the tone set by Newcastle, who also had Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton booked, and said: "That is a balance that you always need. You need the steeliness, the determination to beat your opponent or try to beat your opponent and give no inch on duels, tackles, whatever the moment is."
Fabian Schar was another giant for Newcastle on the day and chopped into Grealish early in the game after attempts from the England star to rattle him. Grealish failed miserably of course but Schar suffered a yellow card for his trouble.
Afterwards, he said: "We had to make it difficult for them. They had one chance in the first half. It shows what level we can be at (intensity wise). The first games we were not at our level but we showed what we are capable of.
"Now we have to keep building on this performance and do the same in the next few games. We did brilliantly and kept going. Once we scored at 1-1 we deserved it. We tried to go again and looked for the second but we did not have Alex Isak, Anthony Gordon was brilliant up front. We have a great squad and a lot of players."
Howe would love to bottle up some of the intensity shown against Man City as it made that welcome return. The Magpies should get through with hard work alone against Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup, but they will need more of the same against Everton next weekend.
With Jordan Pickford and a boisterous Goodison Park waiting for them, it will be no place for the faint hearted.