Newcastle United know injury truth about Man City excuses as Erling Haaland hits Toon wall

Erling Haaland of Manchester City applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and City
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


With lone striker Alexander Isak sidelined on top of the depressing failure at Fulham, there were those fearing that Newcastle United could be decked more often than Anthony Joshua when knock-out specialists Manchester City swaggered into town. NOT ON YER NELLY!

This was the Newcastle we love - hearts the size of a frying pan, desire pouring out of every sinew, commitment and intensity back. If you give all for the shirt then every Geordie within St James Park and watching miles away on live TV will applaud on the coming of the night.

Where have you been boys? We've missed you.

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Poor as United were at Craven Cottage - and brother were they poor - this was the exact opposite. A show of defiance. A display meant to remind themselves as well as us that they are better than current form suggested.

Of course United were never going to play Man City off the park. Who do? But they more than matched them for desire with not a little skill and pacy directness thrown in to stir the blood. One fact above all others perhaps underlines the challenge Newcastle made to England's habitual champions - Erling Haaland, a monster of a centre-forward, has scored an incredible 100 goals for City in just 106 appearances but against the Mighty Mags he has notched only one in five outings.

His barren hour and a half when entering black and white territory reflects City's results here. They have won only once in their last four visits. Never mind that City were without Rodri as an excuse United were without Isak which meant without an orthodox centre-forward.

However at last Geordies saw some of the guys we know and love. Anthony Gordon, thrust into a No.9 role which is far from his best, ran blood to water. He was here, there and everywhere. Perhaps inspired by a Wor Flags tribute to him as he walked out of the tunnel before kick off, perhaps by the offer of a new contract which reflects his worth to this football club, he sickened City's pedigree defenders with his pace and willingness to run in behind, won United's penalty, and took it with deadly accuracy to level the game at 1-1 and earn a golden point. How wonderful and how much of a relief to see the man who last season carried us on his wiry frame time and again suddenly look as though he had rediscovered that life is worth living.

If Jack Grealish is worth £100m which is what City paid for him _ and yes he did Kieran Trippier like a kipper for once on City's goal _ I still prefer our man to theirs on the left wing when in the mood because he creates many more clear cut chances. That is why Gordon went to the Euros and Grealish stayed home though Gareth Southgate then spoiled it all by excluding him though the transfer furore involving Liverpool has been put forward as a legitimate reason for his isolation with his head supposedly scrambled.

Others followed Gordon's example on this day. Lewis Hall, embroiled in a battle with Lloyd Kelly for the left-back shirt, had his best game since heading north, Joelinton was back to punching his considerable weight again, and Sandro Tonali confirmed what a £52m gem he is. Definitely worth waiting for is the Italian stallion.

Dare we hope that Big Joe, Tonali and Bruno can be the dynamic midfield trio we anticipated?

United have now set the bar high. They have set the standard they must keep attaining for the rest of the season. Consistency is key. Had they played like this at Fulham they would still be unbeaten but hey the dark clouds have been blown over the horizon and it is the time to reclaim their identity.

What is coming up next is a rarity - when Wimbledon arrive on Tuesday night it will be the first domestic cup tie to be played at SJP in 2024 after United have endured no less than six successive away draws in Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Let NUFC make the best of it.

I'm gearing up for a double header at the Fleet Street pub off the Bigg Market. Monday night at 6pm I am on for an hour discussing Newcastle with former favourite Steve Watson and then Tuesday pre-match with Wimbledon I will be chewing the fat at 5.15pm with John Anderson. Busy days, hope to see you.