Newcastle United earned a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Premier League champions Manchester City in a lively encounter at St. James' Park. The Magpies held a 3-1 lead at one stage before the visitors hit back with two goals in quick succession
The Magpies conceded after only five minutes as Ilkay Gundogan found the net. Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier scored to make it 3-1 before Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva notched at the Leazes End.
Here are the five things we learned as St. James' Park played host to a truly memorable afternoon of Premier League football.
READ MORE: Newcastle United 3-3 Man City RECAP: Magpies earn draw against Premier League champions
Almiron impresses
Attention was always going to be on Miguel Almiron at St. James' Park on Sunday. The Jack Grealish narrative stole the headlines as fans anticipated a grudge match between the two players following the City man's comments earlier this year.
Grealish wasn't included in the matchday squad meaning he didn't face the inevitable boos from the Geordie faithful. Almiron did play, however, and showed that when he wants to, he can still turn it on.
After missing a sitter in the first-half, the Paraguayan made amends with a somewhat fortunate goal moments later. But the winger was his usual busy self throughout, running at City's defence, playing some well-timed balls to Saint-Maximin and Wilson. It was a solid performance from the wide man.
As Almiron was replaced in the closing stages, he was given a standing ovation by the home faithful in a nice gesture from supporters.
Nick Pope brilliance
It was a tricky decision for Eddie Howe to drop Martin Dubravka for Nick Pope before a moment of competitive football this season. But boy is it looking like an inspired choice.
Pope picked up where he left off at Brighton with an inspired performance in between the sticks. Big saves from Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne in the first-half were followed by some huge stops in the second period.
Pope looked assured coming for crosses, commanded his area and swept up any balls in behind. If he can keep this up, he has a huge shout of being England's No 1 at the World Cup.
Defensive dilemma
Big questions were being asked about the defence this week. Would it be a back five? A back four? Burn? Botman? Schar? Is Targett fit? Who drops out?
Well, with Matt Targett in fact missing out once again through injury, Eddie Howe's decision was made for him. It was to be the same side that faced Brighton last weekend.
It means we must wait to see how on earth he fits all that defensive talent into one team when Targett returns. I don't think many envy him having to make that decision.
Arsenal atmosphere replicated
There are certain days where St. James' Park just gets it. Today was one of those days.
We saw it against Arsenal last season, where the energy of the crowd before kick-off inspired the Newcastle players and scared the opposition into reckless decisions. It was on show this afternoon as City struggled to cope with that famous Tyneside atmosphere in the first 45 minutes.
When the north east stadium gets going, it really is a fortress. The response of the crowd, and the players, was immense today. We know if Newcastle are going to upset the apple cart this season, they need to make home games tough for the opposition - and they certainly achieved that today.
Passing the test
Whenever Newcastle United come up against top opposition these days, it is always a useful yardstick to see just how far they must go to match the Premier League's best in the coming months and years.
Few expected a result today but the manner of the performance shows Newcastle aren't too far behind the very best in the country when they play as they did on Sunday afternoon.
An inspired performance at the back, exciting going forward - add a few more players to the mix in the next two weeks, and Newcastle are going to be a serious side.
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