Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had admitted it might take some time for the all-important intensity at St James’ Park to make a long-awaited return. But perhaps even he was surprised how quickly it started to seep through again as Man City stars Erling Halaand and Jack Grealish were left in a spin.
As the visitors threatened to take control against United they were quickly put back in their place at St James’ Park. With Howe’s threats of being benched still ringing in the ears of Newcastle stars after a week of investigation behind the scenes, the tackles began flying in on a sunny afternoon.
Dan Burn put a hole in Halaand’s sock with a tasty challenge in the first half, Sandro Tonali threw Jack Grealish around at will and when it was needed Nick Pope’s meaty reducer on the Norway international reminded him where he was. Halaand had last been seen on our screens mouthing “stay humble” to Gabriel Jesus in the feisty 2-2 draw against Arsenal last weekend, but despite being rested in midweek for the Carabao Cup tie against Watford, won 2-1 by City, he soon realised he was not going to get his own way at a packed St James’.
Howe enjoyed the tone set by Newcastle, who also had Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton booked, and said: “That is a balance that you always need. You need the steeliness, the determination to beat your opponent or try to beat your opponent and give no inch on duels, tackles, whatever the moment is.”
Fabian Schar was another giant for Newcastle on the day and chopped into Grealish early in the game after attempts from the England star to rattle him. Grealish failed miserably of course but Schar suffered a yellow card for his trouble.
Afterwards, he said: “We had to make it difficult for them. They had one chance in the first half. It shows what level we can be at (intensity wise). The first games we were not at our level but we showed what we are capable of.
