Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, faced a setback for the second consecutive weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United on Saturday. Despite their strong start to the season, City’s performance has started to wane, and this match raised questions about their ability to cope without key players, particularly after losing midfielder Rodri to an ACL injury. It was also the first Premier League game of the season in which their star striker Erling Haaland was unable to score.
Man City Held Newcastle to a 1-1 Draw as Haaland Went Scoreless in the Premier League
Erling Haaland, known for his goal-scoring prowess, had been unstoppable in the early weeks of the Premier League season. He racked up an impressive 10 goals in his first five matches, quickly establishing himself as the league’s most dangerous forward. However, against Newcastle at St. James’ Park, Haaland barely got a sniff of the ball, let alone a real chance to add to his tally. Newcastle’s defense was solid, and Manchester City struggled to break through their lines.
For Haaland, this match marked a rare occasion in his Premier League career where he was kept scoreless. His limited involvement was symptomatic of City’s overall lack of fluidity. Without the influence of Rodri in midfield, City found it difficult to maintain control over the game, often looking disjointed and lacking their usual rhythm.
Gvardiol’s Moment of Brilliance
Despite their struggles, Manchester City took the lead in the 35th minute through Josko Gvardiol. The left-back demonstrated composure and skill when he collected a well-timed pass from Jack Grealish, cutting inside onto his weaker right foot before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the net. It was a moment of brilliance from the Croatian defender, who has been steadily improving since joining City in the summer.
The goal gave City a much-needed boost, and for a moment, it seemed like they might regain control of the match. However, their lead was far from secure, as Newcastle continued to press and create chances of their own.
Newcastle’s Resilient Comeback
Newcastle’s response came in the second half. In the 58th minute, Anthony Gordon—deputizing as a central striker in the absence of Alexander Isak—won a penalty after being fouled by City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes. Gordon, who had been playing in a more advanced role than usual, capitalized on a through ball, forcing Ederson into a desperate challenge. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.
Gordon stepped up confidently to convert the spot-kick, bringing Newcastle United level at 1-1. The equalizer was a testament to the Magpies’ resilience and their ability to take advantage of City’s vulnerabilities. With the home crowd behind them, Newcastle continued to push for a winner, though neither side could find the decisive goal.
City’s Defensive Woes Without Rodri
This match highlighted the growing concerns for Manchester City as they navigate their season without Rodri, who has been ruled out with a season-ending ACL injury. The Spanish midfielder has been a pivotal figure for Pep Guardiola’s side, dictating play from the center of the park and breaking up opposition attacks.
Without Rodri pulling the strings in midfield, City looked vulnerable, particularly in transition. Kalvin Phillips filled in for Rodri but struggled to replicate his influence, which allowed Newcastle to find spaces and exploit City’s defensive gaps. While City has one of the deepest squads in European football, replacing someone as integral as Rodri is no easy task, and the draw against Newcastle showed that his absence may continue to be a problem in the weeks to come.
Pressure Mounts as Arsenal and Liverpool Loom
With Manchester City dropping points for the second straight weekend—following their 2-2 draw against Arsenal last Sunday—the pressure is mounting on Pep Guardiola and his team. City had started the season in dominant fashion, winning their first four games and looking every bit the title favorites. However, these recent results have given their rivals hope.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool, the two teams most likely to challenge City for the title, have favorable fixtures ahead. Arsenal will take on Leicester City, while Liverpool faces Wolverhampton Wanderers. If either of those teams can secure a win, they will close the gap on Manchester City at the top of the table, putting further pressure on the reigning champions to rediscover their winning form.
Conclusion
While a draw against a strong Newcastle side at St. James’ Park is far from a disastrous result, it does raise some concerns for Manchester City. Erling Haaland‘s inability to get on the scoresheet, coupled with the ongoing absence of Rodri, has left Pep Guardiola with some difficult questions to answer as the season progresses.
City’s title defense is still very much alive, but these recent stumbles will need to be addressed quickly if they are to maintain their grip on the Premier League crown. With Arsenal and Liverpool poised to pounce on any further slip-ups, the reigning champions cannot afford to drop more points. For now, Manchester City must regroup, refocus, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.