As Man City and Erling Haaland continue to put all before them to the sword, Newcastle United's fearless performance against the champions looks even better in hindsight. It was not just the fact that Newcastle took a point off Pep Guardiola's awesome outfit - Aston Villa have also done that this season - it was the manner in which the Magpies played in the 3-3 draw.
Yes, Newcastle could not ultimately see the game out, after being 3-1 up before the hour mark, but Eddie Howe's side went toe to toe with one of the best teams in the world at St James' Park last August. You only have to look at Manchester United shipping six at the Etihad on Sunday to realise how difficult that is to do as Erik ten Hag lamented the Red Devils' 'lack of belief' against their bitter rivals. Newcastle, in contrast, gave City a bloody nose.
Newcastle may be slightly down on where Howe hoped to be in terms of points at this stage of the campaign, after only winning two league games, but there can be no doubt that this side are playing more on the front foot with a higher defensive line and players who press high up the pitch. The most basic of metrics told you that even before Newcastle ran riot against 10-man Fulham at the weekend to move up to seventh place in the table.
