Newcastle Toons
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Toon Takeaways from Newcastle’s 5-0 embarrassment at City

By Carson A Merk

Newcastle United players reacts after Manchester City second goal. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Pool viaGetty Images)
Newcastle United players reacts after Manchester City second goal. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Pool viaGetty Images) /
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The first loss in Project Restart for Newcastle United was a 5-0 dismantling by Manchester City.

It’s not a good formula to be playing without key players, on the road, against a top side. Expected to be a tough result, this one was a thrashing as City got goals from Gabriel Jesus, Riyah Mahrez, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, and an own goal in a 5-0 blowout.

Not Shocking, But Still Embarrassing

When the injury doubts included Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron, and Jamaal Lascelles, it was very fair to assume a lopsided result. A depleted Newcastle United didn’t seem likely to test an in-form Manchester City.
While a loss was expected, the scoreline was unacceptable. This would be a terrible display from any Premier League side, especially one with zero losses in the league since the restart. The passing was bad, the defending was horrendous and the attack was nonexistent.

Funky Formation

Without some key players, Steve Bruce put out a strange-looking formation. The backline was DeAndre Yedlin, Emil Krafth, Federico Fernandez, and Danny Rose. Fabian Schar played with Jonjo Shelvey and Nabil Bentaleb in the midfield and Matt Ritchie and Valentino Lazaro flanked Joelinton in the attack.

It looked odd on paper and played out about as well as could be expected.

Quick Kicks

  • The absence of ASM and Miggy limits your chances on the break, but without Lascelles, the backline was in shambles.
  • With the scoreline 4-0 against you, why not bring on the youngsters like Thomas Allan and Jack Young instead of Christian Atsu and Dwight Gayle? Give the kids a chance to appear in a Premier League match and see the skill up close of City.
  • Fabian Schar has looked really poor of late for the Magpies, possibly due to being demoted from the first-choice starter.
  • Poor Martin Dubravka was left with little chance to save most of the goals.

Next. A full-time move for Lazaro seems unlikely. dark

What’s Next?

The Magpies will try to get the taste out of their mouths from this one when they face 17th-place Watford. They gave themselves a four-point cushion above the drop zone with a win yesterday over Norwich.