NEWCASTLE UTD 1, MANCHESTER CITY 1
After twelve straight Premier League defeats against Manchester City, Rafa Benitez’ Newcastle United earned a battling draw at St James’ Park to boost their survival hopes against a City side who appeared to be giving injured players a run-out ahead of crucial forthcoming European fixtures.
An early opening goal by Sergio Aguero was cancelled out by Vurnon Anita as United earned their point with a performance that impressed home fans.
The draw has also opened the door to a possible raid on fourth place by rivals Manchester United who play against Crystal Palace tomorrow.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini made three changes to the side that convincingly beat Chelsea last weekend in a bid to give returning players some game time prior to City’s crucial Champions League fixtures against Real Madrid in the next fortnight.
Out went Samir Nasri, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernandinho and in came Fabian Delph, Vincent Kompany and Fernando.
Kompany was making his first City appearance since departing the field against Dynamo Kiev after just 7 minutes on March 15 while Raheem Sterling was on the bench after his own injury layoff.
And with a home game against Real Madrid just seven days away it was vital for the City captain to prove his fitness although Kompany wasn’t always up to speed during this game and his rustiness showed on occasions.
Newcastle United were in a battle for Premier League safety but they could have done without a poor refereeing decision that let a clearly offside Sergio Aguero head home Aleksandar Kolarov’s 15th minute cross in at the near post.
The Argentine became the second fastest goalscorer to hit 100 Premier League goals in just 147 league appearances for City, second behind only Alan Shearer who did so in 124 games.
It was also Aguero’s 21st Premier League goal of the season but City became sloppy after scoring their undeserved goal and, despite chances to extend their lead through Kevin De Bruyne, gave the home side encouragement with loose balls.
The Magpies had given City ample warning of the the dangers of Papiss Cisse when his early header went high.
Moussa Sissoko went past Fernando and Kompany but could only direct his shot straight to Hart as the Magpies pushed for an equaliser.
It was Vurnon Anita who levelled matters with his first goal in over two years after 31 minutes when, urged on by the home crowd, he came infield and lashed home a low curling left foot shot in off the post.
Aguero could have won a penalty as the second half got under way under pressure from Chancel Mbemba while Jesus Navas was denied by Karl Darlow from a narrow angle.
Pablo Zabaleta denied Magpies striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after Andros Townsend’s cross was swung in around the hour mark as City began to flag under the home side’s pressure with a tiring Kompany booked for mistiming a challenge on Sissoko.
City threw on Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho in place of Fabian Delph and Yaya Toure to little effect in the face of committed pressing from the home side although De Bruyne remained their most potent attacking threat with a 74th minute shot that Darlow palmed away.
City’s final change was Wilfried Bony for Jesus Navas with six minutes to go and the Ivorian also tested Darlow with a late header.
City were almost struck with a sucker punch when Kolarov was caught dawdling on the ball in the dying moments and Georginio Wijnaldum was denied by a massive save by Hart.
Wijnaldum also drew a foul from Eliaquim Mangala, which got City’s French defender booked, as Newcastle ended on a high urged on by home fans who showed.