Toon Takeaways from Newcastle United’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Fernandinho of Manchester City challenges Rolando Aarons of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James' Park on December 27, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Fernandinho of Manchester City challenges Rolando Aarons of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James' Park on December 27, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, Newcastle United wasn’t able to end Manchester City’s amazing run, losing the match 1-0.

Newcastle United dropped a 1-0 result at home to Manchester City, who have yet to lose a Premier League match this season. Man. City dominated the ball and the match during the first half, with a close range finish from Raheem Sterling the difference at the break. Midway through the second half, Newcastle United sprung to life, but they couldn’t find an equalizing goal.

Top Toons

Rolando Aarons: In his first EPL start of the season, the speedy winger was often the danger man for Newcastle United. He had the closest effort of the match, when his chip towards the far post was cleared away by a defender at the last second.

Rob Elliot: He made some big saves to keep the match close. When playing a team like Manchester City, one goals tends to turn into two goals, then into three, so it was important for him to limit them to one score.

Christian Atsu: Coming off the bench, he added some excitement and creativity on the ball. Atsu turned Sterling all the way around and delivered a perfect ball to Dwight Gayle in the final minutes, but his header went wide.

Mediocre Magpies

Dwight Gayle: Two poor plays in the second half for the striker. First, he took a dive in the box earning a yellow card for simulation. If he had stayed on his feet, a chance was there to level the match. Then, on the aforementioned cross from Atsu, he couldn’t put his header on frame.

Mohamed Diame: Often a master of trying to do to much, Diame was dispossessed a handful of times in his own defensive half trying to take on multiple Man. City defenders. After a stellar match against West Ham. it was back to normal, clumsy Diame today.

Joselu: The Spanish striker was not involved in much of the action today. His best moment may have been leveling Otamendi in the air after he cleared Aarons’ chip.

More from Newcastle Toons

Quick Kicks

-What a difference between the two halves. In the first 45 minutes, Newcastle was happy to sit deep in their own half and try to weather the storm. Then in the second frame, they came out aggressive and tried to get an equalizer.

-It was a positive performance from Jonjo Shelvey at times in his return. Hopefully, this begins a run of positive form.

-Rolando Aarons may have earned some playing time moving forward. He did well and it was similar to his positive performances in the preseason and in the Carabao Cup fixture.

-Seeing Paul Dummett back in action was positive. He did well in his first Premier League action since an opening match injury.

-The crowd at St. James’ Park, especially in the second half, brought their A game. You could feel the passion and energy through the TV.

What’s Next?

Newcastle United will host fellow promotion side Brighton on Saturday. The clubs met earlier this season, with Brighton taking a 1-0 win at home in September.