Newcastle United player ratings v Manchester City: 5/10 'off day' & 'quality' Lewis Hall at half-time
Newcastle United 0-0 Manchester City half-time player ratings: Here’s how Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Nick Woltemade and co fared at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United are drawing 0-0 with Manchester City at St James’ Park on Saturday evening - here are the player ratings from the match so far.
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.
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Here are the Newcastle United half-time player ratings from the match (full-time ratings available here)...
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 - 6
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.
Malick Thiaw - 7
Made some important blocks and interceptions.
Fabian Schar - 7
Showed good composure on the ball. Bar a couple of wayward passes, sprayed the ball out from the back and defended on the front foot. Somewhat fortunate to escape unpunished for a late challenge on Phil Foden inside the penalty area. A welcome return to the starting line-up.
Lewis Hall - 7
Helped Newcastle get further up the pitch on his return to the side. Good quality on the ball.
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Sandro Tonali - 7
Had moments of energy where he injected intensity into Newcastle’s game.
Bruno Guimaraes - 7
Grew into the game as the half went on and he started to get his foot on the ball.
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.
Jacob Murphy - 6
Put in two dangerous crosses from the right and found a couple of openings.
Harvey Barnes - 5
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. An off day in front of goal for a player who is usually an effective finisher.