We asked Dean Wilkins to give us his match ratings and player comments after Manchester City 2 Newcastle 1
Pope 7
Made some good saves and played well overall.
Had no chance with the winning goal and whilst some saying Pope could have possibly done better with the opener, I think it would have been an outstanding save if he had kept it out. O’Reilly hit it with power and due to cutting across the ball when striking it, it meant it was moving away from Pope and made it extra difficult to keep out. If he had got a full hand to it I think he would have saved it but fingertips were not enough.
Trippier 7
Another good game for the veteran full-back and as well as doing ok at the back, Trippier was good going forward.
Some decent crosses and I thought he did especially well with long passes from deep behind the Man City defence, for Elanga in particular to run onto.
Thiaw 7.5
In a great run of form once again.
Newcastle United put under a fair bit of pressure at times, especially the opening half, with the Germany international battling.
Burn 8
Another epic battle with Erling Haaland and once again Dan Burn coming out on top overall.
Haaland hasn’t scored against Newcastle since August 2022 when he first played against NUFC. BDB is the major reason for that.
Dan Burn did score a very good header but it was disallowed in a bizarre incident. Clearly pushed by a Man City defender into an offside position, you thought this had to be the goal confirmed, or a penalty given, or at worst the free-kick taken again. Yet out of all possible options it was an offside awarded.
Hall 7.5
Yet again, one of United’s best players.
Did alright in defence with Man City targeting his side of the pitch with numbers.
It is once you get Lewis Hall into the other half of the pitch though when he is such an especially elite player.
Such immense quality on the ball and nice to see him get a goal that has been coming. He is capable of scoring and creating many more.
Tonali 7.5
Another player who is back in form and the team benefitting from this.
The Italy international the key component in a Newcastle midfield that gave as good as it got.
Ramsey 7
I think Eddie Howe has signed a very good player.
He goes under the radar a little but is now putting in consistently good performances.
Looks after the ball well and got an assist for Hall’s goal.
Willock 6.5
I don’t anybody played badly on the night.
Willock working hard like the rest of them and his running with the ball an asset, as he has got back to close to the kind of form that made him a first team regular in the past.
Elanga 6.5
Still a bit erratic but like Willock, worked hard tracking back and stretched Man City at the other end.
He is getting better and better and just needs to improve his decision making at times in key moments. Whilst his confidence has improved, once he takes it a couple of more notches I think we will see the player we were expecting.
Woltemade 6.5
I thought he did ok.
Was always going to be tougher in this position when playing against top quality opposition, when receiving the ball usually in your own half and with close attention from opponents.
Still early days but plenty of promise as Eddie Howe is now regularly using Big Nick in a deeper position.
Gordon 7.5
Anthony Gordon thriving in this advanced position and his pace a constant worry for the Man City defence.
Dias booked when Gordon was sprinting away from him in a great position on the counter-attack, Pep Guardiola forced to sub him.
Gordon’s workrate excellent and he does more sprints than any teammate, almost caught out Donnarumma a couple of times, with those last ten yard sprints that put real pressure on keepers and defenders.
SUBS
Barnes 6.5
Was decent when he came on and did his bit.
Almost got the equaliser United deserved late on but thwarted by the Man City keeper.
Joelinton 7
Great to have him back and he gave the team something different/extra when introduced.
Could play a huge part in the important matches ahead.
Osula 6
Largely a thankless task but he ran and chased down the defenders, trying to help NUFC get the equaliser. Still early days back from long-term injury and could prove a valuable squad player.
Jacob Murphy 6.5
With the number of options in attacking positions, hopefully this can pay dividends for Eddie Howe.
The competition for places driving performances and the ability to share minutes invaluable.
As he approaches his 31st birthday on Tuesday, the lifelong Newcastle United fan still with plenty to contribute.