This is a point that Manchester City will not celebrate. Newcastle will, and they should after a performance that reclaimed the values so central to their identity. With a striker on the field they would have won.
But for City, six days after the relief and joy of salvaging a 98th-minute draw at home to Arsenal, this will feel like two points have been lost. They have to be, as Arsenal showed how likely they are to go all the way this season.
Erling Haaland failed to score for the first time in the Premier League this season and he remained strangely isolated for too long.
One criticism of Newcastle this season is that their signature patterns and partnerships are lacking, and the same could be said of City here. Dangerous? Always, which is evident from their goal: taking a lead in the first half, against the flow of the game. But coherent and under control? Far from it.
It was telling when, with the score at 1-1 in the 81st minute, Pep Guardiola abandoned confidence in the patience of his side’s approach as he sent on speedsters Jeremy Doku and Savinho.
Anthony Gordon scored the second-half equalizer for Newcastle from the penalty spot
Gordon was tripped by Ederson before picking himself up and heading home from the spot
Gordon’s penalty earned a deserved point for Eddie Howe’s men, who bounced back from a disappointing defeat to Fulham last weekend
The double substitution certainly quickened City’s stride – they had had one shot on target in the second half to that point – but there were not enough yards of the race left to run. Newcastle resisted – Haaland seemed dwarfed by caretakers Fabian Schar and Dan Burn – and so they gained a point and gained one at the same time.
Last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Fulham was, even according to head coach Eddie Howe, one of the worst performances of his almost three years at the club. There were some home truths shared on the training pitch this week and what followed was a performance of honesty, intensity and commitment.
If Alexander Isak had played, one point might have been three. He was missing with a toe injury and although substitute Anthony Gordon won and converted a second-half penalty, there were periods when Newcastle were on top but failed to translate that into chances, let alone goals.
But Howe had asked for a response and he got it. And not just for five minutes. Newcastle tend to start well before falling apart or drifting, at least this season. Here, however, their energy and intention extended beyond the 10, 15 and 20 minutes.
When the aggression of their press forced Haaland to scoop one pass out of play and goalkeeper Ederson use a daring backheel to avoid a galloping Gordon, the home crowd reacted pantomime-like in their appreciation.
Were the champions confused? Not really. Not when Ederson’s most strenuous exercise was that risky act of escapology.
A warning was given of City’s threat despite their slow opening when Haaland was denied a tap at the far post by Kieran Trippier, who slid and collided with the upright as he flicked in from the striker’s toe.
Josko Gvardiol (left) had given Man City the lead after excellent work from Jack Grealish (right)
Gvardiol provided a stylish finish after Newcastle started the better of the two teams
But City struggled to control the match and Newcastle managed to keep Erling Haaland at bay
And so Newcastle’s period of superiority ended as City took the lead in the 35th minute.
Jack Grealish decided to throw caution to the wind for once and that certainly threw Trippier, who was caught flat-footed as his former England teammate danced through him on the left. Grealish found Gvardiol and the defender cut away Dan Burn before curling into the bottom corner.
Before halftime it could have been two. Nick Pope, who lacked the conviction of opponent Ederson, tried to play from behind. His pass found Ilkay Gundagon, but the midfielder’s chip attempt – Pope stranded – sailed harmlessly back into the arms of the grateful keeper.
The goal that brought Newcastle level came in the 58th minute. Bruno Guimaraes removed Gordon after Kyle Walker had played the striker onside and as he tried to round Ederson he was caught by the Brazilian.
The contact was enough to knock Gordon over and he picked himself up and sent Ederson the wrong way from twelve yards.
Bernardo Silva’s late volley was well tipped by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope
It was a frustrating afternoon for Pep Guardiola, as his team once again dropped points
City came closest to victory in stoppage time when Nick Pope kept out Bernardo Silva’s volley, but losing would have been cruel for the hosts.
They celebrated the point full-time, but mainly for a performance that was true to the qualities that underpinned their success last season. City, on the other hand, were in trouble and, unlike last weekend, were unlucky.