That’s more like it from Newcastle United.
Just a week after a dreadful display at Fulham, Newcastle claimed a morale-boosting point against Premier League champions Manchester City.
While not in the business of celebrating draws, it was a positive performance from Eddie Howe’s side, who have not particularly covered themselves in glory so far this season despite some decent results.
Not all too many of Howe’s big players had shown up yet this season but it was promising to see Anthony Gordon both win and score a penalty to get Newcastle back onto level terms following Josko Gvardiol’s opener.
Nick Pope, meanwhile, drew the praise of City boss Pep Guardiola.
On punditry duty for the afternoon, Joe Cole was keen to highlight the outing of another key player.
Joe Cole says Joelinton could “easily” have been Man of the Match for Newcastle against Man City
It was ultimately Gvardiol who was handed the Man of the Match award.
Cole, however, believes the tireless Joelinton was perhaps unlucky not to have been awarded it.
“Joelinton was brilliant today,” he said on TNT Sports 1 at 2.48pm BST on 28/09/2024.
“He was playing a dual role – central midfield, getting on the press, he was dropping at left-back, dealing with Haaland at times when he was dropping into the back-five. He could have easily been the Man of the Match as well.”
Joelinton might be getting over his injury problems for Newcastle now
Excellent against Southampton on the opening weekend, the Brazilian has struggled since.
Indeed, he was reportedly dealing with a groin issue too, which perhaps explains some of his reasonably poor outings.
Still, on the evidence of the City game, Joelinton looks to be over the knock. That was something approaching his very best.
Tipped as one of the best players in the Premier League by Alan Shearer earlier this season, it is performances like that which earn him such a status.
The sooner he can match that kind of display on a regular basis, the better Newcastle will be this season.
This was a return to form for Joelinton and Newcastle as a collective.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
