Anthony Gordon won a controversial penalty and then scored from the spot to earn Newcastle a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at St James’ Park to provide an early dent to the title favourites’ Premier League bid.
Ederson was booked for an attempt to play the ball but denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and Gordon, playing as a centre forward in the absence of injured pair Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to level the match.
Sub Phil Foden had City’s best chance to regain the lead but sent his shot from Erling Haaland’s flick straight at Nick Pope. The Newcastle keeper was worked harder by a powerful shot from Bernardo Silva late on, but this was a below-par display by Pep Guardiola’s team.
City, playing for the first time in the Premier League since Rodri was ruled out for the season and still without Kevin De Bruyne, struggled to pick a way through Newcastle’s deep defence but led at the break through Josko Gvardiol’s opener. The left-back found the bottom corner from inside the box following good play from Jack Grealish in the build-up.
There was concern during that first half that City would lose Haaland to injury after the striker was caught on the ankle by the studs of Dan Burn, but he was able to continue despite a nasty cut.
The defending champions have lost their last four Premier League games when they’ve been without both Rodri and De Bruyne from the start and while they ended that streak on Saturday, they will leave the North East frustrated.
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