Newcastle Toons
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Positives and negatives from 2-2 draw vs. Man City

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on November 30, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 30: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on November 30, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United earned an unexpected, but well-deserved point against Manchester City at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle United came from behind twice to earn an unexpected point against Manchester City earlier today. The defending Premier League champions were expecting to claim all three points, but Jonjo Shelvey ruined those plans with a stunning equalizer in the 88th minute.

Newcastle United did well to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Monday night. That being said, let’s jump in and take a look at what the Magpies did well and what they need to work on before facing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane next week.

Positives

  • With Jamaal Lascelles out of the squad due to injury, Jonjo Shelvey has stepped up to serve as a true leader. He wasn’t vocal today, but he got the job done with some brilliant passes to both wingers, got in front of multiple shots when Man City attacked, and he scored another meaningful goal for the Toon. He now leads the team with three goals this season.
  • Allan Saint-Maximin was, once again, in top form down the flank. The Frenchman did struggle to clear the ball in time when the opposition applied pressure, but offensively he dribbled around defenders with ease. No assists and no goals for Saint-Maximin today, but he did well to run past defenders and attract attention out wide, which then opened lanes for his teammates up the middle.
  • Despite conceding two goals, the back-line did well to frustrate Man City for most of the game. The Magpies were quick to block shots, made some well-timed tackles in dangerous areas and they won several aerial duels to take some pressure off Martin Dubravka.

Negatives

  • The Magpies gave Kevin De Bruyne too much space all afternoon. The Belgian international frequently had sufficient green space in front of him and this enabled him to spread the ball around without being confronted. De Bruyne orchestrated the majority of City’s attacks as a result of the freedom Newcastle United gave him in the middle of the park.

Next. Toon Takeaways from Newcastle's 2-2 draw vs. Man City. dark

  • The most common mistake Newcastle United made today was excessive dribbling in the back. Too many players were holding on to the ball for far too long under pressure and this then led to weak clearances or dangerous passes that allowed Pep Guardiola’s side to recover the ball with multiple bodies forward.