‘Mistake for me’ - Ex-Man City man slams first-half defending against Newcastle United

Manchester City find themselves 2-1 down at half-time away at Newcastle United.

The visitors took the lead after just five minutes when Ilkay Gundogan pounced and it looked like it could be another easy afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, Eddie Howe’s man fought back and equalised through Miguel Almiron. The former MLS man bundled home at the back post and despite a brief VAR scare for the hosts, the goal was given and they found themselves level.

Allan Saint-Maximin has been causing problems for City all game and his pace and power led to Callum Wilson’s goal on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-1.

‘Mistake for me’...

Micah Richards, who is doing punditry alongside Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on Sky Sports, has slammed his former club’s defending:

“(Kyle) Walker shouldn’t really be going for that header. He should drop off. (John) Stones there makes a mistake for me.

“We know Maximin is so quick when he gets up to speed so he has got to stop him before he can make the action. It doesn’t happen.

“We see it a little bit better here, he drops off. They’ve got Manchester City players behind him that can cover him, go to the ball. It’s a wonderful finish.”

Second-half

It will no doubt be a long second-half for Newcastle as they look to keep City at bay.

The Toon Army have defended well since they went 1-0 down and will be hoping Nick Pope will be in top form again.

Guardiola has taken Nathan Ake off for Ruben Dias and has four substitutions left at his disposal.

Summer signing Erling Haaland has been quiet so far as he hunts for more goals for his new club.