3️⃣ points as Shelvey stunner denies Manchester City crucial win | OneFootball

It was a frantic 90 minutes as Newcastle drew 2-2 with Manchester City at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Here are three points we took from the game …

City cannot defend

Where are the real Manchester City and what have you done with them?

Yes, they were slightly improved against Newcastle, but defensively they continue to look a show of their former selves.

Aymeric Laporte has been a significant loss but individually, players look uncertain and collectively, their intensity and organisation looks way off.

The Champions are allowing more shots (8.6) per 90 minutes than last season (7.1), conceding 16 goals after 14 matchdays – last season they conceded seven at this stage.

A tale of two stunners

In a game seriously lacking quality, late stunners from Kevin de Bruyne and Jonjo Shelvey were worthy of winning any game.

The Belgian was surprisingly peripheral throughout but came up with a stunning half-volley, that flew past Martin Dúbravka and in off the bar.

But with City on course for three points, Jonjo Shelvey placed a beautiful side-footed curler into the corner past a desperate dive from Ederson.

Anything you can do, I can do better.

Newcastle find their formula

Newcastle aren’t the most talented side but their performance against City offered a glimpse of what might work.

Isaac Hayden and Shelvey were relentless in midfield, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernández both monstrous in defence and Dúbravka assured when called upon.

Even their front three worked tirelessly and looked dangerous going forward.

They were many parallels from today from their 1-0 win against Tottenham in August – it’s just about finding consistency.