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There aren’t too many games in a Barclays Premier League season when you have such a huge advantage as City did on Monday night at Newcastle and when the footballing Gods smile on you, three points is the only acceptable outcome.
A goal up and the luxury of playing for over 70 minutes with an extra man should have seen the Blues cruise to victory, but Mark Hughes’ body language throughout the game showed he was as unhappy as every City fan with the approach and result.
A second goal would have seen off Newcastle’s resistance but the players seemed to feel they could score again at any time they fancied and ultimately paid a heavy price for their lack of killer instinct and shoddy defending.
Gifting Newcastle two bizarre goals only served to lift a crowd already seething from the injustice of Robinho’s penalty, which even though I’ve watched it back many times, I still reckon can be viewed both for and against the defender Habib Beye.
Referee Rob Styles was positioned directly behind the tackle and had no doubt it was a foul although we shouldn’t put too much faith in his judgment after recent events.
If that challenge had been on Shola Ameobi down the other end do you think the Gallowgate End would have shouted for a penalty or not? Enough said!
City don’t get too many spot-kicks so I’ll quite happily take whatever comes along but
from the sending-off/penalty flashpoint, City failed to wrestle control of the game and after their slapstick defending, the Blues were desperately chasing a point with 10 minutes to go.
They would have had it earlier too if not for Shay Given’s magnificent right-handed save from a fizzing 25-yard volley from Stephen Ireland. But it was the Irish midfielder who again proved his worth on 86 minutes with a face-saving equaliser. And he almost set up late winner with lovely low cross-cum-shot that zipped beyond the far post before anyone could pounce to score.
An away win would have been unfair on Newcastle and as with the Liverpool defeat, City have had another harsh football lesson from which they have to quickly learn.
With two points very much dropped, the wrestling theme continues as City face a bruising encounter with Stoke City who visit SportCity this Sunday (RIP Saturday 3pm kick-offs!).
Stoke’s approach can’t be discussed without mentioning Rory Delap and although it may seem funny to have to worry about long throw-ins being your opponents main attacking threat, City’s back four will not be laughing when Delap’s aerial bombardment begins.
Tony Pulis’ team currently sit in the bottom three and league survival will be a tall order but he has sensibly got his side playing to their strengths in an attempt to avoid relegation.
His big, athletic team look to overpower their opposition with Mamady Sidibe, Ricardo Fuller and Dave Kitson all looking to profit as forward balls land in the six-yard box.
After Monday night’s defensive frailty, I certainly see Stoke scoring and with the Potters impressively picking up their only away League point at Anfield, City do need to be wary, but their all-round attacking threat should ensure a narrow win.
City’s defenders can celebrate by cracking open the headache tablets at the final whistle!
The Chinch predicts: City 2-1 Stoke
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