Match ends, Newcastle United 2, Manchester City 2.
Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title were dealt another blow when Jonjo Shelvey's stunning late equaliser earned Newcastle a point at St James' Park.
City boss Pep Guardiola must have thought his side had won it when Kevin de Bruyne found the net in the 82nd minute with a brilliant long-range effort which went in off the crossbar.
But with two minutes of normal time remaining, home substitute Christian Atsu pulled the ball back for Shelvey, who beat the dive of Ederson.
Guardiola's side have now dropped 13 points this season and are 11 behind leaders Liverpool.
It all began well for City when they took the lead after an early period of dominance.
David Silva, sorely missed by the champions in their recent defeat by Liverpool, highlighted his worth with a deft backheel to find Raheem Sterling, who curled in for his 15th goal this season.
However, before City could assert their dominance, the Magpies equalised through full-back Jetro Willems, who received a square pass from Miguel Almiron before calmly slotting home.
That was the Dutch loan signing's second goal of the season and the eighth Magpies goal in the past 10 scored by a defender.
City's Gabriel Jesus and De Bruyne were thwarted by Martin Dubravka after the break before substitute Bernardo Silva pulled a shot wide from eight yards. In stoppage time, Sterling's shot from six yards lacked venom and allowed Dubravka to make an easy save.
Up next for Guardiola's side is a trip to Burnley, and they cannot afford any more slip-ups.
City's defensive shortcomings exposed
Despite the proverbial bus being parked on the edge of the Magpies' area, Guardiola's side still managed 24 efforts on goal.
Had it not been for Dubravka's saves and the late misses by Bernardo Silva and Sterling, this would have been a deserved win.
The attack played their part, but at times City's defensive structure left a lot to be desired.
They made their intentions known as early as the first minute when they pressed high up, with right-back Kyle Walker coming inside to provide almost a second playmaker role.
It was a confident move, but also left them exposed to the pace of Newcastle down the wings, particularly Allan Saint-Maximin, Almiron and Willems.
City's defence should have made notes in the art of closing down from their Newcastle counterparts as both Willems and Shelvey were given too much time and space to hit their targets.
Shelvey and Newcastle offer perfect response
Newcastle's ability to surprise has been a feature this season.
On Monday they were woeful against Aston Villa, allowing Jack Grealish to run the show.
But against City they produced a disciplined defensive display while also making the most of the few attacking opportunities they had.
Almiron and Shelvey, whose performances on Monday prompted groans from the Newcastle section, played major parts in the fightback.
Almiron, without a goal or assist since joining earlier this year, again worked tirelessly across the pitch and provided a clever ball for Willems.
When Shelvey's late strike resulted in the loudest cheer of the match, the midfielder ran over to the dugout to milk the applause.
It was the perfect response from both him and his team to the 2-0 defeat at Villa.
Man of the match - Miguel Almiron (Newcastle)
'We produced a bit of magic' - what the managers said
Newcastle manager Steve Bruce told BBC Sport: "It took them a wonder goal for all the possession they had. We produced a bit of magic ourselves too, but of course we had to defend and I think the players were magnificent in their work."
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport: "We played at a good level. It was not easy because they defended deep. We scored two goals but we also let two in which is disappointing.
"With substitutions sometimes players forget positions. We found a way to get through but unfortunately at the end we conceded a goal. There are teams that defend deeper like this, it happens all season.
"We do the same work we have done over the last few seasons. We tried to score more goals but it did not happen."
Shelvey's joy from long range - the stats
- Newcastle are unbeaten in their past four home league games against reigning top-flight champions.
- City have scored in their past 22 league games against Newcastle - their joint-longest run in the competition.
- No Premier League player has scored more goals in all competitions this season than Sterling. His 15 goals is level with Raul Jimenez.
- De Bruyne has been involved in six goals in six Premier League games against Newcastle, scoring two and assisting four.
- Almiron registered his first assist in his 24th Premier League appearance, with the 23rd chance he has created for a team-mate.
- Of players with at least 15 Premier League goals, only David Ginola (66.7%) and Laurent Robert (65.2%) have scored a higher ratio from outside the box than Jonjo Shelvey (64.7%).
- Eight of Newcastle's 13 Premier League goals this season have been scored by defenders - the highest ratio in the competition (62%).
What's next?
City travel to face Burnley on Tuesday (20:15 GMT), while Newcastle are at Sheffield United on Thursday (19:30 GMT).
Line-ups
Newcastle
Formation 5-4-1
- 1Dubravka
- 19ManquilloBooked at 73mins
- 18Fernandez
- 2Clark
- 3Dummett
- 15Willems
- 24Almirón
- 14Hayden
- 8Shelvey
- 10Saint-MaximinSubstituted forAtsuat 80'minutes
- 9JoelintonSubstituted forGayleat 69'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Schär
- 12Gayle
- 17Krafth
- 26Darlow
- 30Atsu
- 36S Longstaff
- 43M Longstaff
Man City
Formation 4-3-3
- 31Ederson
- 2Walker
- 5Stones
- 25FernandinhoBooked at 53mins
- 22Mendy
- 17De Bruyne
- 8GündoganBooked at 24mins
- 21SilvaSubstituted forFodenat 70'minutes
- 26MahrezSubstituted forBernardo Silvaat 69'minutes
- 9Gabriel JesusSubstituted forRodriat 84'minutes
- 7Sterling
Substitutes
- 1Bravo
- 12Angelino
- 16Rodri
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 27Cancelo
- 30Otamendi
- 47Foden
- Referee:
- Chris Kavanagh
- Attendance:
- 49,937
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home24%
- Away76%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away24
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away9
- Corners
- Home1
- Away10
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away6
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 2, Manchester City 2.
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Attempt saved. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
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Foul by Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
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Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Phil Foden (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United).
Goal!
Goal! Newcastle United 2, Manchester City 2. Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Christian Atsu following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Fernandinho (Manchester City).
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Javier Manquillo (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt missed. Fernandinho (Manchester City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Javier Manquillo.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City. Rodrigo replaces Gabriel Jesus.
Goal!
Goal! Newcastle United 1, Manchester City 2. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Christian Atsu replaces Allan Saint-Maximin.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Ciaran Clark.
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Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ilkay Gündogan.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Ciaran Clark.
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Attempt blocked. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Phil Foden.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Javier Manquillo.
Comments
Join the conversation
well done Newcastle, every neutral salutes you
Your players were immense and it was a great watch.
Is Steve Bruce starting to win any doubters (understandable at the start) around?
Liverpool Legend
Who you gonna scram this time Raheem???
😂😂👌👌👌
Nah sonshine.... M. B. E for services to whining is the only medal you're getting this year
It’s time to stop whinging about non-existent injury crisis. One first team regular out long term in Laporte , now Aguero has missed one game.
Liverpool had the worlds best goalkeeper out for 8 games! Matip is out and now the best holding midfielder in the game , Fabinho, is out. Much worse than City’s injury crisis, as we don’t have £50M replacements.
Thank you very much
Love
Leicester
De Bruyne's goal was incredible though, but a draw is a fair result - City off it, but NewU's defenders & keeper had a blinder. They deserved a point. Saint-Maximin, though... Haven't seen a player like him for a long time. Like a less prolific Asprilla, or loopier Kanu. Great entertainer, but where's the end product! Mad as a badger
Well, well, more points dropped..