Newcastle player ratings v Manchester City: Duo star with 8/10 displays, one man anonymous
COMMENT
Newcastle United fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat in their home clash with Manchester City on Wednesday.
The Magpies saw themselves under heavy pressure from kick off, the visitors dominating possession as they looked to carve a way through Newcastle’s back line, with Rafael Benitez making five changes to his starting XI and opting for a five man defence.
Despite both changes to the personnel and tactics, City managed to find a way through, Raheem Sterling poking past Rob Elliot after a lofted pass from Kevin De Bruyne to take the lead.
Newcastle could have have gone into half time level had it not been for Nicolas Otamendi, the City centre back heading the ball off the line after Rolando Aarons had struck an audacious chip goalwards.
Despite a spirited second half showing, City’s first half strike was enough to secure the three points for the visitors, continuing their fine form this season.
The Magpies came into the clash off the back of a 3-2 win away at West Ham, which put an end to a nine game winless streak, a run which saw them pick up just one point from a possible 27.
So who shone for the Magpies at St James’ Park and who let the Toon Army down?
Here, Football Insider rates each of the Magpies’ stars out of 10, handing a pair of stars 8/10 after their impressive displays despite defeat, and one man who was completely anonymous.
Click below to reveal the first of our ratings…