The Toon Army has been through a roller coaster of a decade or so. From lows of relegation to the lofty highs that came with having new handlers, good times are rolling at Tyneside. Love the similarities and the journeys taken by these two teams. They both played second tier soccer sometimein the last twenty years but here they are now probably the two most entertaining teams in the League right now. Newcastle United got the appointment and recruitment right out of everyone this season from the coach to the players. Keiran Trippier was a bang on the money signing. Bags of experience in Europe and takes a mean free kick(bringing back memories of Moscow).Money doesn’t always get you the best , you need to blend them with players already there. In Allan Saint Maximin they already have a player who can change the game in an instant, they need the right cast around him. Almiron?Willock? I am not sure it’s the right players to play off him if Newcastle are to get into top 4 in the long term but you got to give credit where due they are holding their own so far. Manchester City is Manchester City. They have a STYLE OF PLAY that teams are finding hard to defend against. The quick passing game and always having a man free in the box. Check out the opening goal from Gundogan. It is not Bernardo Silva who created the goal but the assist really has to go to the running decoys that are De Bruyne and Walker pulling defenders away from the danger area.

Not getting tighter on Saint Maximin was probably where Pep Guardiola got it wrong. Always vulnerable to the counter attack were the Cityzens. That is because when they attack , the defenders more or less act as midfielders so high up the pitch leaving space in behind. Case in point , the Callum Wilson goal. What comes with Eddie Howe as coach is that you get a coach willing to play an attractive brand of soccer but also willing to risk a goal or two. Such was life for a Bournemouth fan under his tutelage. Now , although Newcastle have improved attacking wise, they need the right personnel in defense as well. Fabian Schar is still prone to the odd lack of concentration like leaving Haaland unmarked whilst ball watching for the City second. Newcastle defense also culpable for stepping up too late to trap Bernardo Silva offside for the equalizer. From where Newcastle where under Steve Bruce, a draw against the Champs will feel like a win. Let’s just say this is a season of consolidation of their top flight status but with more success the soccer made Toon Army will demand more. Given the close nature of the last two seasons, these are two points dropped for the Cityzens.