Fri. Jan 31st, 2025

PLAYER RATINGS: Kevin de Bruyne enjoys incredible cameo on his return to inspire Man City’s win over Newcastle while Rodri was imperious in midfield… and Alexander Isak was a menace for the hosts<!-- wp:html --><div> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span>A five-goal thriller was played out at St James’ Park which ultimately ended with Manchester City claiming a vital Premier League victory in injury time.</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span>City youngster Oscar Bobb scored the winning goal with a late shot to seal all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side in the end.</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span>Bernardo Silva opened the scoring with a stunning back-heel shot before Newcastle responded to take the lead late in the first half.</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span>City equalized through Kevin de Bruyne when he scored his first goal since recovering from a long-term injury before Bobb’s winning goal.</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span>Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan rates his players from St James’ Park after the exciting encounter. </span></p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Manchester City celebrated a vital Premier League victory against Newcastle at St James’ Park</p> </div> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Newcastle were level in the second half when City scored the winning goal in stoppage time.</p> </div> <p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-medium mol-style-bold">Newcastle United (4-3-3)</span><span class="mol-style-small mol-style-bold"></span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Martin Dubravka – 7.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">A series of smart saves in the first half ensured City did not escape Newcastle.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Kieran Trippier – 7</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Timely distribution as expected and progressed very well with Miguel Almirón. He lifted Jeremy Doku.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Fabian Schar – 7</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">There were big challenges as City broke through the middle when Newcastle were under attack.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Sven Botman – 6.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">He came out quite well and makes a big difference in the organization of the back four when he is available.</p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Sven Botman came out of Newcastle’s defense quite well against Pep Guardiola’s team</p> </div> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Dan Burn – 5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">An unenviable task against the speed of Kyle Walker and Phil Foden’s deceptions. He did his best to confront both of them.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Lewis Miley – 6.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">A great tackle when the locals were a goal down set the tone for the comeback. It never looks out of place.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Bruno Guimaraes – 6.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">City will argue that they were lucky to stay on the pitch before the break. Vital intervention later, when Foden tried to take advantage of the situation.</p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">City will argue that Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes was lucky to stay on the pitch before half-time</p> </div> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Sean Longstaff – 6</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Surely Howe would have wanted Longstaff to cause more trouble by breaking the lines.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Miguel Almirón – 6</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Nothing flashy, but always willing to jump beyond City’s defensive line when the opportunity arose.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Alejandro Isak – 7.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">He scored the equalizer magnificently and gave the defenders no time to calm down. He maintained possession well.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Antonio Gordon – 7.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Keep growing with Eddie Howe. A package of energy that gives the scoreboards so many problems.</p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Anthony Gordon puts Newcastle ahead before half-time in Premier League clash</p> </div> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Subs</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Lewis Hall (by Gordon, 86)</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Unused substitutes: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie, Krafth, A Murphy, Parkinson</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold mol-style-medium">Manchester City (4-2-3-1)</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Ederson – 5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Kyle Walker hit him from the start and almost gave away a goal immediately afterwards before being substituted.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Kyle Walker – 6</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">He won’t remember Newcastle’s second goal fondly, but he then progressed well with an assist.</p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Kyle Walker will not remember Newcastle’s second goal fondly</p> </div> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Ruben Days – 6</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">They were often outnumbered at the back while others galloped forward and Howe’s team took advantage of the high line.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Nathan Aké – 6.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">It definitely calmed down in the second half. More composed with the ball and had the size of Isak.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Josko Gvardiol – 5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">It was evident when Pep Guardiola spent more than a minute getting Gvardiol’s attention to complain about his defending.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Rodri – 8</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Once again imperious deployment. Baffled by Guimaraes’ challenge but kept City together in the face of home pressure.</p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Rodri produced another imperious display as the midfielder led City’s midfield.</p> </div> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Mateo Kovacic – 6</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Overall, he could do more to get involved in the build-up and is still waiting to hit his stride in a City shirt.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Bernardo Silva – 8</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Silva, floating in a freer role, was everywhere and scored a magnificent first goal with a backheel.</p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Bernardo Silva opened the scoring with a spectacular back-heel goal against Newcastle</p> </div> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Phil Foden – 7.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Gliding through the game effortlessly for much of it. He should have gotten on the record.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Jeremy Doku – 6</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">It is his first outing in over a month and he will need time to regain his sharpness after a hamstring problem.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Julián Álvarez – 6.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">A great opportunity, but it didn’t get many changes from Newcastle’s central defenders.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Subs</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Stefan Ortega (by Ederson, 8) – 5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">He will wish he had done better for Gordon’s goal.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Kevin De Bruyne (for Silva, 69) – 8.5</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">First Premier League appearance since August. Scores in minutes. Assisted the winner. Player of the match after 21 minutes on the pitch.</p> <div class="artSplitter mol-img-group"> <div class="mol-img"> <div class="image-wrap"> </div> </div> <p class="imageCaption">Kevin de Bruyne’s first Premier League appearance since August came when he scored after just a few minutes.</p> </div> <div class="art-ins mol-factbox sport"> <h3 class="mol-factbox-title">IT’S ALL STARTING! </h3> <div class="ins cleared mol-factbox-body"> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold mol-style-italic">It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport promising a different take on Premier League football, with a show every Monday and Thursday this season.</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold mol-style-italic">It is available at MailOnline, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.mailplus.co.uk/" rel="noopener">Mail+</a>, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/@DailyMailSports" rel="noopener">Youtube </a>, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/its-all-kicking-off/id1701048699" rel="noopener">apple music</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0r4omeoMfx1bgxQrwWMGe0?si=a7279e3807264bfd&nd=1" rel="noopener">Spotify</a></span></p> <p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p> </div> </div> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><span class="mol-style-bold">Oscar Bobb (for Doku, 82)</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">Substitutes: Phillips, Grealish, Gómez, Nunes, Susoho, Lewis</p> </div><!-- /wp:html -->

A five-goal thriller was played out at St James’ Park which ultimately ended with Manchester City claiming a vital Premier League victory in injury time.

City youngster Oscar Bobb scored the winning goal with a late shot to seal all three points for Pep Guardiola’s side in the end.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring with a stunning back-heel shot before Newcastle responded to take the lead late in the first half.

City equalized through Kevin de Bruyne when he scored his first goal since recovering from a long-term injury before Bobb’s winning goal.

Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan rates his players from St James’ Park after the exciting encounter.

Manchester City celebrated a vital Premier League victory against Newcastle at St James’ Park

Newcastle were level in the second half when City scored the winning goal in stoppage time.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Newcastle United (4-3-3)

Martin Dubravka – 7.5

A series of smart saves in the first half ensured City did not escape Newcastle.

Kieran Trippier – 7

Timely distribution as expected and progressed very well with Miguel Almirón. He lifted Jeremy Doku.

Fabian Schar – 7

There were big challenges as City broke through the middle when Newcastle were under attack.

Sven Botman – 6.5

He came out quite well and makes a big difference in the organization of the back four when he is available.

Sven Botman came out of Newcastle’s defense quite well against Pep Guardiola’s team

Dan Burn – 5

An unenviable task against the speed of Kyle Walker and Phil Foden’s deceptions. He did his best to confront both of them.

Lewis Miley – 6.5

A great tackle when the locals were a goal down set the tone for the comeback. It never looks out of place.

Bruno Guimaraes – 6.5

City will argue that they were lucky to stay on the pitch before the break. Vital intervention later, when Foden tried to take advantage of the situation.

City will argue that Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes was lucky to stay on the pitch before half-time

Sean Longstaff – 6

Surely Howe would have wanted Longstaff to cause more trouble by breaking the lines.

Miguel Almirón – 6

Nothing flashy, but always willing to jump beyond City’s defensive line when the opportunity arose.

Alejandro Isak – 7.5

He scored the equalizer magnificently and gave the defenders no time to calm down. He maintained possession well.

Antonio Gordon – 7.5

Keep growing with Eddie Howe. A package of energy that gives the scoreboards so many problems.

Anthony Gordon puts Newcastle ahead before half-time in Premier League clash

Subs

Lewis Hall (by Gordon, 86)

Unused substitutes: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie, Krafth, A Murphy, Parkinson

Manchester City (4-2-3-1)

Ederson – 5

Kyle Walker hit him from the start and almost gave away a goal immediately afterwards before being substituted.

Kyle Walker – 6

He won’t remember Newcastle’s second goal fondly, but he then progressed well with an assist.

Kyle Walker will not remember Newcastle’s second goal fondly

Ruben Days – 6

They were often outnumbered at the back while others galloped forward and Howe’s team took advantage of the high line.

Nathan Aké – 6.5

It definitely calmed down in the second half. More composed with the ball and had the size of Isak.

Josko Gvardiol – 5

It was evident when Pep Guardiola spent more than a minute getting Gvardiol’s attention to complain about his defending.

Rodri – 8

Once again imperious deployment. Baffled by Guimaraes’ challenge but kept City together in the face of home pressure.

Rodri produced another imperious display as the midfielder led City’s midfield.

Mateo Kovacic – 6

Overall, he could do more to get involved in the build-up and is still waiting to hit his stride in a City shirt.

Bernardo Silva – 8

Silva, floating in a freer role, was everywhere and scored a magnificent first goal with a backheel.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring with a spectacular back-heel goal against Newcastle

Phil Foden – 7.5

Gliding through the game effortlessly for much of it. He should have gotten on the record.

Jeremy Doku – 6

It is his first outing in over a month and he will need time to regain his sharpness after a hamstring problem.

Julián Álvarez – 6.5

A great opportunity, but it didn’t get many changes from Newcastle’s central defenders.

Subs

Stefan Ortega (by Ederson, 8) – 5

He will wish he had done better for Gordon’s goal.

Kevin De Bruyne (for Silva, 69) – 8.5

First Premier League appearance since August. Scores in minutes. Assisted the winner. Player of the match after 21 minutes on the pitch.

Kevin de Bruyne’s first Premier League appearance since August came when he scored after just a few minutes.

IT’S ALL STARTING!

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport promising a different take on Premier League football, with a show every Monday and Thursday this season.

It is available at MailOnline, Mail+, Youtube , apple music and Spotify

Your browser does not support iframes.

Oscar Bobb (for Doku, 82)

Substitutes: Phillips, Grealish, Gómez, Nunes, Susoho, Lewis

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