Quickfire goals by Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva helped Manchester City recover from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Newcastle United in a rip-roaring Premier League clash on Sunday.
Neither side had conceded a goal in the league this season but Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for champions Manchester City in the fifth minute at St. James’ Park.
This was after he ghosted in and caught the Newcastle United defence flat-footed before finishing from close range.
But Manchester City should have gone two up in the 16th minute.
This was when Phil Foden attacked down the right, and he chose to shoot from a tight angle rather than squaring the ball to Haaland for the chance to be wasted.
The home side levelled through Miguel Almiron in the 28th minute as he bundled a pinpoint cross from Allan Saint-Maximin into the net.
He however had to endure a nervous VAR check which allowed the goal to stand.
Saint-Maximin tormented Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker and he put Newcastle United in position to pull off a huge upset when he set up Callum Wilson to make it 2-1 before half-time.
A brilliant free-kick by Kieran Trippier nine minutes after the break put them 3-1 ahead.
That sparked Manchester City into life, however, with Haaland hitting a post before pulling a goal back on the hour mark.
Silva then converted a glorious pass from Kevin De Bruyne to make it 3-3.
Newcastle United’s challenge looked set to come unstuck when Trippier was shown a straight red card for a cynical high trip on De Bruyne.
But after a VAR review the decision was overturned and he was given a yellow card.
Manchester City dominated possession in the final stages but had to settle for a draw that left them second in the table on seven points, two behind leaders Arsenal.
Newcastle United are sixth on five points.
“We scored the third goal in the 64th minute, and it was very early. I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t score the fourth. But still, a good reaction from the team,” Silva told reporters.
Trippier was disappointed his side only came away with a point.
“We want to go toe to toe with them and I thought we did that throughout the match.
“But Manchester City are a top side and they have the quality of the players to get themselves back into the game,” he told reporters. (Reuters)
