Premier League: Manchester City v Newcastle United full time report
Man City 2 Newcastle 1
A superb solo goal from substitute Adam Johnson won Manchester City the points against Newcastle United in what was a close, entertaining contest.
Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa suffered a broken leg in a challenge with City’s Nigel de Jong in the opening moments, before Carlos Tévez smashed the hosts in front from the penalty spot after Mike Williamson was harshly adjudged to have fouled the Argentinian.
Another Argentinian, Newcastle’s Jonas Gutierrez, soon put his side level with a powerful finish following defensive hesitation, and the visitors looked good value for a point.
But Johnson snatched victory for City just three minutes after coming on, when he cut inside from the right flank and powerfully finished.
This was a welcome win for City, and it was one that they were made to work hard for.
Much of the pre-match focus was on Newcastle manager Chris Hughton’s decision to leave England hopeful Andy Carroll on the bench, but he was soon left worrying about another of his attackers, as Nigel De Jong’s rash early challenge left winger Ben Arfa in agony. After being given oxygen by the on pitch medics, it was later confirmed that the Frenchman – on loan at United from Marseille – had suffered a broken left leg.
After such a horrific early injury, the match was somewhat understandably subdued, until it sprang to life in the 18th minute.
A ball over the top looked for Tévez, and the Argentinian went down just inside the penalty area under a challenge from Williamson. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot and booked the Newcastle defender despite replays showing that he got the ball. Tévez blasted the spot kick straight through the defences of United ‘keeper Tim Krul.
Krul’s side weren’t behind for long though, and after Joe Hart did well to keep out a fantastic long range effort from Fabricio Coloccini, it was another Argentinian who found the net.
Gutierrez’s initial cross from the left wasn’t cleared by a falling Vincent Kompany, and as the City defenders dithered, the winger followed up to smash home an effort from 12 yards out into the top corner.
The visitors were playing the better football, but soon suffered the blow of losing another player to injury, as Coloccini limped off to be replaced by veteran defender Sol Campbell – on for his Premier League debut for the club.
Newcastle’s high defensive line was causing them problems, and Gareth Barry should have done better when clean through, before David Silva was close to connecting with a cross.
There was an added urgency to City’s game at the start of the second half, and Tévez shot straight at Krul when found by Yaya Touré, before the Ivorian was replaced by Emmanuel Adebayor as City chased a goal.
Johnson was the next man that Roberto Mancini turned to from the bench, but the City crowd were getting nervous as their side struggled to create chances. Tévez played a poor pass to Silva when the pair were in good positions. Just as the crowd were getting more frustrated though, Johnson brilliantly struck.
The fans had been calling for the introduction of the England winger sooner, and he showed why just minutes after coming on.
Cutting inside from the right, the winger squeezed through two Newcastle players before curling a terrific shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Newcastle responded, and should have had a penalty when Joleon Lescott tangled with Shola Ameobi, before Williamson headed over from a corner.
City rode their luck and ended up grinding out the win.
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