Newcastle United player ratings v Man City: 'Crazy' Harvey Barnes & three 9/10 as Magpies win 2-1
Newcastle United 2-1 Manchester City player ratings: Here’s how Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Nick Woltemade and co fared at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United beat Manchester City 2-1 at St James’ Park on Saturday evening - here are the player ratings from the match.
Eddie Howe made three changes to his side that were beaten 3-1 at Brentford last time out in the Premier League with Fabian Schar, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento coming in for Sven Botman, the suspended Dan Burn and injured Kieran Trippier, respectively.
The trio hadn’t started a Premier League game between them since September with Livramento marking his return to the matchday squad after two months out with a knee injury.
Newcastle had a great chance to take the lead inside the opening minute but Harvey Barnes was denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma. Manchester City had the Italian goalkeeper to thank for keeping the score at 0-0 in the first half as he twice denied Nick Woltemade.
Barnes and Phil Foden both will have felt they should have opened the scoring in the first half but couldn’t find the target from close range at either end as the sides went in goalless at the break.
After missing two big chances in the first half, Barnes finally found the net after being set up by Bruno Guimaraes. The winger found the bottom left corner from the edge of the box to make it 1-0.
But The Magpies lead lasted just a matter of minutes before Ruben Dias levelled things up for Manchester City as he shot through a crowd of players.
The goals kept on coming at St James’ Park as Barnes found the net again the restore the hosts’ lead with a close range finish. The strike was subject to a lengthy VAR check before finally being given.
This time Newcastle were able to hold on for the win and a big three points as they look to get their Premier League season on track.
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Here are the Newcastle United player ratings from the match...
Nick Pope - 7
Kept his place in the side after suffering a concussion last time out at Brentford. Alert to make some smart saves and come off his line well.
Tino Livramento - 7
Straight back into the starting line-up after two months out. Looked a little rusty at times with his passing. Made a crucial block to deny Erling Haaland. Put in a real shift in the circumstances but was struggling towards the end.
Malick Thiaw - 9
Made some important blocks and interceptions. Put in a great challenge to deny Haaland while staying on his feet. A class act.
Fabian Schar - 9
Showed good composure on the ball. Bar a couple of wayward passes, sprayed passes out from the back and defended on the front foot with several blocks and important headers won. Somewhat fortunate to escape unpunished for a late challenge on Phil Foden inside the penalty area. Unfortunate with Dias’ goal going through his legs. A welcome return to the starting line-up.
Lewis Hall - 8
Helped Newcastle get further up the pitch on his return to the side. Showed good quality on the ball and Newcastle look a much better team with him in it. Forced off in the closing stages.
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Sandro Tonali - 9
Got further forward to keep Newcastle pressing high. His intensity gave Newcastle something to build from and a real foothold in the game and was everywhere towards the end. A midfield warrior.
Bruno Guimaraes - 8
In and out of the game but showed his quality with some smart passes out wide to start attacks for the hosts. Was brilliant for the opening goal as he grabbed the ball, brought it forward and set up Barnes. Played a role in Newcastle’s second goal with his header coming back off the crossbar before being turned in by Barnes.
Joelinton - 7
Won the ball high up inside the opening 30 seconds and battled well when out of possession, just lacked quality on the ball at key moments. Booked.
Jacob Murphy - 7
Put in three dangerous crosses from the right and found a couple of openings.
Harvey Barnes - 8
Squandered a great chance to put Newcastle in front inside the opening 30 seconds. Slipped Woltemade through for a good opportunity. Missed what looked to be a certain goal on the half-hour mark. It was third time lucky for the winger as he made it two goals in two games to give Newcastle the lead with an emphatic finish before restoring the lead with a close-range effort. A crazy game for the winger.
Nick Woltemade - 7
Had a close-range header well saved by Donnarumma. It’s the first time the German has failed to score with a shot on target, 15 games into his Newcastle career. Denied again by the Italian one-on-one after being played through by Barnes.
Substitutes
Sven Botman - n/a
On for Hall 78: Saw out the win as Newcastle went to five at the back.
Joe Willock - n/a
On for Barnes 85: Saw out the win.