The league goal dearth for Newcastle United continues: the team have not scored since the February win over Liverpool. Despite a greater number of meaningful chances, especially in the final ten minutes, none of them yielded a result. Manchester City, also struggling but coming from the second win of the year last weekend, have had similar problems. Similar responses came from the fans, at the half-time whistle, with the score still at 0-0, fans of both sides were unanimous in their booing. Both managers looked tormented.
Of two teams in comparable crises, Man City showed the greater fighting spirit. Newcastle looked lethargic until their visitors went up; Man City, driven by a hard working Joey Barton, tried to create chances. There was still a familiar lack of finishing, but Man City’s new signing, Emile Mpenza, proved his worth again – once hitting the bar and then, with 11 minutes to go, the net. A lovely cross from the young and impressive Michael Johnson, combined with Mpenza’s perfectly timed run became too much for Shay Given, who until then had had little to do.
Newcastle were lacking in imagination as well as spirit, and found the solidity of the Man City defence hard to penetrate. Kieron Dyer’s well timed movements were to no avail. Despite dominating possession, especially through an energetic Scott Parker, and making threatening moves the team did not become truly fired up until after Mpenza’s goal. The introduction of James Milner with 15 minutes to go on the right wing had cheered the fans as well as play, and Newcastle spent the final minutes of the game in frantic attack. Isaksson had a few saves to make and Martins, Taylor, Butt, Carr and Onyewu all saw their attempts misfire. By that time some of the fans who hadn’t fallen asleep had started to leave the stadium, a hurry to get out which was replicated by Glenn Roeder.
Newcastle
Given, Carr, Moore (Onyewu 73), Taylor, Babayaro, Solano (Milner 76), Butt, Parker, Duff, Dyer (Sibierski 77), Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Emre.
Booked: Moore.
Man City
Isaksson, Onuoha (Trabelsi 85), Dunne, Distin, Ball, Jihai, Barton, Hamann (Samaras 46), Johnson, Vassell, Mpenza.
Subs Not Used: Weaver, Corradi, Miller.
Booked: Vassell, Jihai, Barton.
Goals: Mpenza 80.
Attendance: 52,004.
Referee: G Poll
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