Man City player ratings vs Newcastle as Jack Grealish lively but pair struggle

Manchester City dropped points for the second Premier League game in a row after Newcastle United came back to earn a point.

Playing their first game since losing Rodri to a season-ending injury, the Blues withstood some early pressure to take the lead after good work from Jack Grealish set up Josko Gvardiol to score. However, they were pegged back when Anthony Gordon won a penalty in the second half and duly slotted it past Ederson.

Both teams had chances to grab a winner but had to be content with a point. Here is how the City players rated for their efforts.

Ederson: Made a few excellent saves and was unlucky to give away a second-half penalty. 7

Walker: Caught out trying to play Gordon offside for the penalty and was unable to make up for it. 5

Dias: Marshalled everything well from the back and kept City pushing up as they chased a winner. 6

Akanji: Stepped up into midfield whenever he could and hoovered up anything at the back that came his way. 7

Gvardiol: Struggled in the first half against Murphy and Trippier but a striker’s instincts to score. 6

Kovacic: A little frantic as he tried to keep his foot on the ball and the game. No lack of effort but the killer ball wasn’t there. 6

Lewis: Helped Kovacic and Gundogan out but was unable to enjoy any real time on the ball to unpick the Newcastle defence. 6

Gundogan: Pushed wide as De Bruyne has been playing before coming inside but struggled to control the game. 5

Silva: Not much of what he tried came off but he kept the ball moving and gave City an out on the right. 6

Grealish: Made the first goal with quick thinking and quick feet and he was a pain for Newcastle players – particularly Tonali – all game. 7

Haaland: Impressive defensively to help out and worked hard to create opportunities without much service. 6

Substitutes

Foden (for Gundogan, 66) Couldn’t get into the game properly. 6

Savinho (for Lewis, 82) Little time.

Doku (for Grealish, 82) Little time.

Not used: Ortega, Carson, Stones, Nunes