By Damian Spellman, PA
Anthony Gordon celebrated his impending new contract early as he struck from the penalty spot to deny Premier League champions Manchester City victory at Newcastle.
The England international, who revealed before kick-off that he was close to agreeing an improved deal, made no mistake from 12 yards after being brought down by keeper Ederson to cancel out Josko Gvardiol’s first-half opener and ensure it ended 1-1 at St James’ Park.
City began life without injured midfielder Rodri in confident fashion, but for the second time in a week, had to settle for a point despite taking the lead.
Anthony Gordon equalises for Newcastle from the spot! 🎯
Listen to the ROAR of St. James' Park 🔊
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/oHYEovZts5
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 28, 2024
With Mateo Kovacic plugging the sizeable gap left by the Spanish midfielder, City set out in determined fashion.
Newcastle’s plan was to sit in and attempt to hit the visitors on the break, but chances to do so were few and far between, although it took a brave 15th-minute block by Jack Grealish to keep Kieran Trippier’s shot away from Ederson’s goal after Bruno Guimaraes and Gordon, deputising as a central striker for the injured Alexander Isak, had fed the ball across to him.
City went ahead 10 minutes before the break when Grealish picked out full-back Gvardiol, who stepped inside Dan Burn before blasting past Pope with the help of a slight deflection off Sandro Tonali, making his first league start since October.
Newcastle were living dangerously as the second half got under way with Silva unable to make the most of Lewis’ instinctive pass into the space vacated by Lewis Hall as he charged upfield, and although Fabian Schar flashed a header across the face of Ederson’s goal, the visitors retained the upper hand.
However, the game was thrown back into the melting pot with 58 minutes gone when, after Ederson had brought down Gordon, who had been sent through by Guimaraes’ through-ball, he picked himself up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Brilliant work from Jack Grealish, even better work from Joško Gvardiol 🎯
The defender gives Man City the lead ✨
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fZ0SaRQDLC
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 28, 2024
The momentum shifted briefly with the visitors’ defence coming under sustained pressure for the first time, and Gordon might have done better with a 64th-minute cross to the unmarked Harvey Barnes, who was given too much to do beyond the far post.
But Pope had to be on his toes to prevent Haaland from rounding him and was then relieved to see substitute Phil Foden’s snapshot fly straight into his arms and Haaland head wide.
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