Kinnear’s men are denied three points by a late Ireland strike. And this after Mr Styles showed his appreciation for Habib Beye’s timely tackle by handing him an early bath and City a spot kick.
Newcastle 2 Man City 2
Kinnear made four changes to the side that drew at Everton. Owen’s groin problem opened the way for Martins to start having returned from a knee injury. Ameobi started alongside him, while Bassong and Beye came into the starting lineup. N’Zogbia, Enrique and Cacapa dropped to the bench.
Hughes made a couple of changes. Zabaleta was serving the first of a three match suspension, so Ben Haim partnered Dunne in central defence, while Richards moved to right back. Elsewhere, Hamann came into central midfield with Elano rested to the bench.
City were set up to win this at a canter but just couldn’t lift themselves to see off a Newcastle side who were inspired by the adversity of the situation. The penalty was harsh to say the least, the sending off of Beye, even harsher. But the ten men battled all the way and were unlucky not to run out winners. City never gained control until the final fifteen minutes but just couldn’t muster the win they hardly deserved.
A good performance from Newcastle but in truth, there’s little for fantasy managers to get excited about within their ranks. Duff is worth monitoring but that’s about it until Martins and Owen recover their fitness. Given offers an option if you need a strong mid-price keeper who offers saves rather than clean sheets.
As for City, Ireland again came up trumps and will surely get further interest as a result. That’s three goals and three assists so far this term. He sits at 6.2 in the FPL and surely offers the strongest value in a bracket he shares with Denilson, Valencia and Bullard.
Wright-Phillips showed glimpses but disappointed – compounding his reputation as a hot and cold points scorer. He looks to be playing a more disciplined wide role away from home – hugging the right-hand touchline. At Eastland’s he appears to get inside to play off Jo that little bit more often. That’s a slight concern but with City scoring so many goals (they are the Premiership’s leading scorers with 20 goals) and with Stoke at home next, SWP owners will surely be holding firm and actually pondering a FPL captaincy come the weekend.
Robinho came away with strong returns – a goal and an assist. That might earn some admirers but in my view there is better value elsewhere in the same bracket. He remains a frustration for me. Full of lovely touches but so often wasteful with his end product. He’ll be fancying the Stoke game though.
No clean sheet and seven conceded in the last three will be a concern in defensive terms but that only goes to promote City’s attacking players. Garrido still offers strong value back there – at 4.3 and with good fixtures to come, he still looks a decent proposition.
With Hughes understandably disappointed after the game and he could make changes next weekend as a result. Elano should get himself a recall and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of other tweaks as Hughes shakes things up a little. Richards looks a doubt after picking up a knock in this one. The shaky looking Onuoha could find himself starting that one then with Zabaleta still suspended.
Lineups
Newcastle: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, Butt, Duff, Martins (N’Zogbia 72), Ameobi (Carroll 79).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Xisco, Edgar.
Man City: Hart, Richards (Onuoha 58), Ben-Haim, Dunne, Garrido (Sturridge 83), Wright-Phillips, Kompany, Hamann (Evans 64), Ireland, Jo, Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Elano, Fernandes, Berti.
Injuries and Bans
Beye will serve a one match ban for his red and will miss the local derby with Sunderland at the weekend.
Richards suffered a knock and was subbed early in the second half.