{"id":9958,"date":"2024-09-28T14:52:06","date_gmt":"2024-09-28T14:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=9958"},"modified":"2024-09-28T14:52:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-28T14:52:06","slug":"manchester-city-draw-newcastle-life-without-rodri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/manchester-city-draw-newcastle-life-without-rodri\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester City Held To A 1-1 Draw With Newcastle As The Champions Fail First Test Of Life Without Rodri"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester City dropped two points in their first match without star midfielder Rodri after a 1-1 draw with Newcastle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In what was a physical affair at St. James’ Park, Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead early on through a delicate finish by Josko Gvardiol.<\/p>\n

However, in the second half, Anthony Gordon converted a penalty after being brought down by Ederson, a day after agreeing to sign a new long-term contract at the club.<\/p>\n

As for Man City, the absence of Rodri<\/a> was keenly felt, with the Premier League<\/a> champions looking vulnerable on the counter-attack without the Spaniard’s guile and steel.<\/p>\n

Guardiola opted for the midfield trio of Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, and Rico Lewis to make up for the loss of Rodri, but City were unable to dominate the game in the same way they often do.<\/p>\n

Newcastle’s pressing and energy caused all sorts of problems for the away side. Eddie Howe’s side had several chances to take the lead, but Ederson made some crucial saves to keep the score level.<\/p>\n

City have quite a concerning record without Rodri<\/a> and are now without a win in the last five games they’ve played without both the Spain midfielder and Kevin De Bruyne, with the latter nursing a groin injury.<\/p>\n

\n

Man City without Rodri since the start of last season in the Premier League:<\/p>\n

\u274c Wolves 2-1 Man City
\u274cArsenal 1-0 Man City
\u274c Aston Villa 1-0 Man City
\u2705 Man City 5-1 Luton
\u2705 Chelsea 0-2 Man City
\u2705 Man City 4-1 Ipswich
\u2705 West Ham 1-3 Man City
\ud83e\udd1d Newcastle 1-1 Man City<\/p>\n

50%\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/KpZYsvmo2p<\/a><\/p>\n

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n