Manchester City struggled to cope with the absence of Rodri in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle, marking their second consecutive game in which they dropped Premier League points on Saturday. The Spanish midfielder has been sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a severe knee injury sustained during last weekend's intense 2-2 match against title contenders Arsenal.
Josko Gvardiol initially gave the visitors the lead at St James’ Park, but Newcastle earned a deserved equalizer through Anthony Gordon's penalty in the second half. While the draw keeps City two points ahead at the top of the table, they risk being surpassed by Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal by the end of the weekend.
Pep Guardiola referred to Rodri, who has remained unbeaten in his last 52 Premier League appearances dating back to February 2023, as "irreplaceable," yet he expressed his commitment to finding a collective solution. Teenager Rico Lewis was moved into a central midfield position alongside Mateo Kovacic, but City lacked the usual control and composure that Rodri brings both on and off the ball.
Newcastle, having lost only one of their first six Premier League matches this season, have seen results surpass their performances under Eddie Howe thus far. The Magpies were also missing key players, including last season's top scorer Alexander Isak due to injury.
Neither team posed a significant threat until Gvardiol received a pass from Jack Grealish inside the box and executed a finish reminiscent of Erling Haaland, curling a low shot into the far corner. City had a chance to extend their lead shortly after when Nick Pope's clearance fell to Ilkay Gundogan, but he misfired his attempted lob instead of finding Haaland.
Newcastle finally tested Ederson just before halftime when Joelinton skillfully controlled a free-kick from Kieran Trippier and aimed for goal, only to be thwarted by his fellow Brazilian. The home side's persistence paid off as they leveled the score early in the second half.
Gordon managed to get behind the defense and was taken down by Ederson while attempting to bypass the goalkeeper.
The England international quickly recovered and confidently converted the penalty. Energized by the passionate home crowd, Newcastle put the champions under significant pressure.
Referee Jarred Gillett dismissed calls for a second penalty after Kyle Walker's challenge on Joelinton, and Ederson was forced to act quickly to thwart Gordon's efforts.
In response, Guardiola brought on Phil Foden, last season's Premier League player of the year, which shifted the momentum in City's favor as they finished the match strongly.
Foden came close to securing all three points for City but shot too close to Pope. The goalkeeper also made an impressive save against Bernardo Silva's volley.
In stoppage time, Haaland had a header saved by Pope, marking the first time this season that the Norwegian failed to score in the Premier League.
City could have faced their first defeat of the season had Sean Longstaff not missed a significant opportunity in the final ten minutes.
However, the dropped points provide hope to City's title challengers that their hold on the championship may be weakening.