Newcastle United remain unbeaten in the Premier League after a pulsating 3-3 draw against the champions Manchester City.
As the clock ticked towards the hour mark, United found themselves 3-1 up and in control but even the most optimistic Newcastle fan knew it was far from over against one of the best teams in the world. This game had vibes from the time Barcelona rolled into St James' Park back 1997 when Newcastle dared to dream against a global force.
Sadly, Newcastle could not push on and grab the victory against Pep Guardiola's men but just four months since the 5-0 thrashing at the hands of City at the Etihad Stadium, Eddie Howe's team showed they had made good progress. A draw is nothing to be sniffed at and Newcastle should be proud of their display but that doesn't mean they gratefully accepted the point...
READ MORE: Eddie Howe heaps praise on Allan Saint-Maximin after Newcastle hold Man City
The work didn't stop at the final whistle
Newcastle players put everything into their clash against City with a string of hard-working displays. But after the players had left the field to a standing ovation, the off-field operations continued with their efforts in the transfer market.
A deal for Watford's Joao Pedro is still being discussed while loan deals with Premier League clubs are also a possibility. As the players were leaving the stadium co-owner Mehrdad Ghodussi and head of recruitment Steve Nickson were locked in talks in the stands.
The club's head or technical scouting Andy Howe was also keen to get messages to the backroom team afterwards. Things are moving off the pitch and Newcastle hope to deliver two new faces soon.
The dejected expressions that most fans missed - but show that real progress is being made
Bruno Guimaraes played the game like it was a Champions League final - then left the field as if he'd lost one. Kieran Trippier bitterly shook his head in anger and Allan Saint-Maximin pointed to his own forehead suggesting that a little more focus would have earned Newcastle a famous win.
In the space of a few seconds, anybody who'd not witnessed the whole game would have thought that Newcastle had lost the match heavily. The reality was they'd taken a huge point from the champions of England.
In a week in which pundit Jamie Carragher had stated that "draws are now like defeats" you'd have thought City would be on their knees and Newcastle should be celebrating. But the standards at St James' Park are high now, and the hunger for bigger and better results is there for all to see.
Miguel Almiron has turned things around in 2022 under Eddie Howe
At the start of the year Miguel Almiron was an unused substitute at Leeds United in that crucial win at Elland Road. The fans still chanted his name that night after the 1-0 win as he enjoyed the victory with his bench jacket on having not got on.
Since then he has got his head down and worked to impress the manager. Even after pre-season the Paraguay skipper was neck and neck with Ryan Fraser for the third slot in a front three.
But is currently ahead of the Scotland winger for a starting place. He may have missed a good chance early on but showed afterwards he can bounce back these days by bundling home the equaliser.
Expect changes at Tranmere
The Magpies are taking the cups seriously this year but Eddie Howe is likely to shuffle the pack at Prenton Park. It will be three games in a week after City, the visit to the Wirral and then on to Wolves next Sunday.
But Howe has players in need of minutes such as Elliot Anderson, Martin Dubravka, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Jacob Murphy for example. Howe can still make changes and name a near Premier League XI on Wednesday.
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