Gordon penalty sees Man City drop points at Newcastle after frantic second half

Anthony Gordon rescued a point from the penalty spot as Newcastle United held champions Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park.

Pep Guardiola’s men were without Kevin De Bruyne and long-term absentee Rodri, but looked to be on course for victory when Josko Gvardiol opened the scoring with a superb turn and finish on 35 minutes.

Newcastle, who were missing hitman Alexander Isak, struggled to carve-out clear-cut opportunities in the first half, but burst into life when Gordon won and converted a spot kick just shy of the hour.

The draw sees Manchester City extend their lead at the summit to two points, although they could be replaced at the top should results across the rest of the weekend go against them.

Newcastle are three points further back in fifth.

There has been a lot written and spoken about in terms of the the loss of Rodri with a serious ACL injury and the spotlight was firmly on how City would respond.

Few expect it to impact The Citizens in the majority of their Premier League matches, but this was the sort of tough away match against a side capable of hurting them where his presence could be sorely missed.

Indeed, the Spaniard was on a 52-match top-flight unbeaten run, with City losing all four of their previous PL encounters when he has not been in their side.

This was not a defeat, but The Citizens did not win either, meaning it is back-to-back draws for Pep Guardiola and co (the Spaniard was withdrawn against Arsenal with City 1-0 ahead).

The measure of control and calm Rodri brings may well have been key during Newcastle’s second-half purple patch, but the visitors could not keep the home team at bay and were left to settle for a frustrating result in terms of trying to send a message to their rivals that it will be business as usual without their pillar of strength in midfield.

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United). The winger was heavily linked with a move away during the summer, but with a new contract in the pipeline and the love of the Toon Army clear to see via a pre-match Tifo, he delivered once again on the big occasion. The 23-year-old won and then scored the penalty to earn a share of the spoils, taking on the responsibility to lead the attack in the absence of Isak.

NEWCASTLE: Pope 8, Trippier 7, Schar 7, Burn 7, Hall 7, Joelinton 8, Guimaraes 7, Tonali 7, Gordon 8*, Murphy.J 7, Barnes 7. Subs: Willock 6, Longstaff 6, Livramento 6.

MAN CITY: Ederson 6, Walker 7, Dias 7, Akanji 7, Gvardiol 8, Kovacic 7, Lewis 7, Gundogan 6, Silva 7, Haaland 6, Grealish 8. Subs: Foden 6, Savinho n/a, Doku n/a.

35’ – GOAL! – Newcastle 0-1 Man City: (Gvardiol). The champions strike first blood. It’s Gvardiol who delivers as he cuts back inside his man to coolly fire into the far corner after lovely work by Grealish on the left wing.

58’ – GOAL! – Newcastle 1-1 Man City: (Gordon). It’s a clinical spot kick from Gordon as he sends Ederson the wrong way with a low attempt.

73’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Foden’s knee and chest from 10 yards is straight at Pope after a lovely lay-off from Haaland.

81’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Longstaff drags wide from 15 yards out after a clever cut back from the right.

90+2’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Pope shows great reactions to push away Bernardo Silva’s scorching volley.