13 January 2024 , 21:45
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With a double fist-pump towards the excitable Newcastle dugout, Pep Guardiola saluted Kevin de Bruyne’s brilliance.
But he was not just celebrating a typically sublime De Bruyne goal, he was celebrating the return of the man who makes the champions the best version of themselves. Simple as that. If De Bruyne now stays fit, City will surely retain their crown.
It had plenty of flaws but, in many ways, this was a statement performance from Manchester City. They responded to a catastrophic few first half minutes in a way only they know how - by wearing down a brave Newcastle with creativity, with hard work, with the sort of ingenuity that is typified by De Bruyne’s game.
And Pep will give himself a pat on the back for bringing on Oscar Bobb, who cleverly produced the added-time winner, from a De Bruyne assist, of course. At least Eddie Howe will take some scant consolation from how they almost found a way to get something out of this pulsating match.
According to Howe, Newcastle might not have any mates but what they have got is a fanbase that can truly galvanise its team, that can lift their players when they are being pummelled, as they were for long periods here.
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And if there is a single major threat to City’s dominance in any given game, it is complacency. That threat materialised after Bernardo Silva’s impudent finish had given Guardiola’s team a thoroughly deserved, if belated, lead.
There is a fine line between swaggering and showboating - and City crossed it. Yes, it was a fine pass from Bruno Guimaraes to release Alexander Isak for the equaliser - and a fine finish - but the casual defending, from Kyle Walker amongst others, was unforgivable.
Ditto for the otherwise splendid Anthony Gordon strike that put the home side ahead - a strike that Ederson might have fancied making more of a fist of keeping out than his replacement, Stefan Ortega, did.
Ederson was forced off with an injury (AFP via Getty Images)Ortega came on early doors after Ederson was injured in a collision with Sean Longstaff after a flag was raised late to call what seemed an obvious offside. Understandably, there will now be a clamour for assistant referees to raise their flags if they believe a player is offside, particularly as John Stones was injured in similar circumstances at Goodison Park recently.
But that would just negate one of the primary purposes of VAR. Had the official been wrong, the Newcastle ‘goal’ could have stood. Yes, an injury occurred in that particular passage of play but injuries can occur at any stage of a match.
The principle of the rule is fine. And with City playing such a high line, they are always going to experience the late flag. That high line really was an issue for the champions and Guardiola has to take some of the rap for their vulnerability.
With Walker clearly instructed to treat defensive duties as less than a priority, Josko Gvardiol less than comfortable at left-back and Nathan Ake in marauding mood, City were, essentially, often operating with one at the back.
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates with Guardiola after his stunning impact off the bench (Richard Lee/REX/Shutterstock)When the one Newcastle striker is the highly-accomplished Isak, that is asking for trouble. And trouble is what City got. But that should not detract from Newcastle’s tenacity and incisiveness on the counter-attack and the ferocity of that support.
As a siege was inevitable, they certainly needed all the support they could get in the second half. In terms of retaining possession and passing teams into submission, this City team remains without equal.
And it was the introduction of De Bruyne that clinched the deal for City - a pass into the bottom corner for his goal and a clever pass that was matched by an equally clever finish from Bobb. No wonder the City bench erupted, no wonder Pep launched his double fist-pump. Kev's back and City have never been away.
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