Newcastle 0-1 Man City: 3 Things We Learned

1 - Defending deep for 90 minutes is not how you get a positive result against Manchester City

The opening 30 minutes of this game was as one sided as you are likely to see. Jonjo Shelvey’s blast from the centre spot at kickoff was a symbol of what was to come from Newcastle: 11 men behind the ball with no real desire to get forward.

This changed once City’s goal went in and Newcastle actually looked to get forward. Their attacking intent increased in the second half and the final ten minutes of the game was the first time we’ve seen City looking nervous in quite a while.

You risk getting thrashed, of course, but if you want at least a point you have to be brave and attack this City side. They’ll win anyway, why not try?

2 - A new centre back should be top of Guardiola’s wish list

On the same day Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk, Vincent Kompany pulled up with yet another injury. With Newcastle showing no attacking threat, Pep Guardiola opted to bring Gabriel Jesus on and push Fernandinho into the back four, but when the home side did look to get forward Eliaquim Mangala was introduced.

While the Frenchman has played okay this season, his presence does not inspire a lot of confidence and this City squad really needs a new quality centre back to go with Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.

3 - Finishing practice is needed

Truth be told, this game should have been out of sight by half time. City had 21 shots in the game yet only managed to convert on one occasion.

Chance after chance was wasted in the first half with Sergio Agüero being the main culprit. With teams defending so deep it takes hard work to create each and every chance, so City missing so many will probably be particularly infuriating for Pep Guardiola. Finishing practice will surely be on the agenda in training for the next few weeks.