EPL – What We Learned – Newcastle United 1 Manchester City 1

EPL – What We Learned – Newcastle United 1 Manchester City 1

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Rahul Dantes
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Manchester City let a lead slip to end up sharing the points at St. James’s park against relegation battling Newcastle United.

Sergio Aguero headed City into the lead within the opening 15 minutes in controversial fashion as replays indicated that the Argentine was offside. The hosts responded through Vurnon Anita, who equalised just after the half-hour mark.

Despite manufacturing a number of openings, City were unable to find a way past Karl Darlow in the Newcastle goal. Up the other end, birthday boy Joe Hart was forced to come up with an outstanding save to deny Georginio Wijnaldum a winning goal.

Rafael Benitez’s side are now only two points from safety and only a point behind rivals and arch rivals Sunderland. City remain in third, but will undoubtedly be disappointed to only manage a draw after wins against Paris Saint Germain and Chelsea this past week.

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Aguero continues fine form

Besides scoring the goal, Aguero had a fantastic outing overall. He was involved in everything and was City’s best player on the night. His movement, anticipation and strikers instinct were on show for St James Park to see. The Argentine notched up his 100th Premier League goal in 147 appearances, becoming the 25th player in the competition and only the third non-European player after Dwight Yorke and Didier Drogba to reach that milestone.

He now has 22 league goals for the season, two behind Harry Kane. The Argentine has scored eight goals in his last seven league outings. Manuel Pellegrini will hope that the in-form striker can continue as the race for fourth spot, as well as the possibility of a maiden European Cup triumph is still on the cards.

Returning stars provide timely boost for City

City fans would have be pleased to see skipper Vincent Kompany fit once again. The Belgian has had an injury ravaged season, making just 13 appearances in all competitions. Raheem Sterling also returned to action for the first time since March.

Kevin De Bruyne, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Kompany, Sterling and Fabian Delph have all had spells on the sidelines since the turn of the year, which did affect City’s form during that period. Silva is the only casualty at the moment and even he is expected to return before the crunch Champions League tie against Real Madrid next week.

Pellegrini will need a fully fit squad if he is to guide his side through to the end of the season. City are yet to play difficult games against Arsenal and Southampton, both of whom are also chasing European spots.

Recent form suggests Newcastle can avoid the dreaded drop

After a torrid season under Steve McClaren, the Magpies opted against his services in favour of Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard himself struggled in the first half of the season during his tenure at Real Madrid but now faces an important task of keeping Newcastle in the top flight.

The 3-0 win over Swansea was much needed and when coupled with this promising result, the future looks somewhat brighter than it did a week ago. Newcastle must win at least two of their remaining four games if they are to avoid the drop.

Benitez will target the games against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to get the three points and his side will do very well to get anything out of their other two games, away to Liverpool and a visit form title aspirants Tottenham on the final day of the season. It is certainly an uphill task for the Magpies who must perform at their very best if they are to have any hope of survival.

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