Newcastle 1-1 Man City - The 'Index 6'

A fighting display by the Magpies on Tuesday evening ensured a point against an in-form Manchester City side. Newcastle can count themselves unlucky not to have taken all 3 points after Agüero’s 14th minute header was allowed to stand despite the striker being several yards offside from a Kolarov free-kick, and Hart pulling off a point-blank save from substitute Wijnaldum, late on.

The draw follows up another impressive display from Benítez’s men, after last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Swansea. Newcastle have now picked up 4 points since their muddled performance against Southampton at St. Mary’s, and are now just 2 points away from 17th placed Norwich – there is now a sense of cautious optimism around St. James’ Park that just maybe Benítez can pull-off the “great escape.” It was a game with a few clear-cut chances, but huge credit must go to Newcastle’s defence and midfield for nullifying the threats of Agüero and De Bruyne. It is without doubt that if the Magpies had performed like that throughout the season, then there would have been talk of a push for Europe rather than talk of a fragmented side trying to save their Premier League status.

Here we look at the key 6 points from Tuesday’s game:

Organisation

From the evidence of the last two games, this side is looking more like a Rafael Benítez side. The organisation in the defence and midfield to counter the threat of De Bruyne, Agüero and Yaya Touré was brilliant, especially when you consider that we have leaked in over 60 goals this season. There was some urgency when we had the ball and especially when we didn’t have the ball. Tioté had a superb game, probably his best game in a Black And White shirt since season 2011-12. The goal came from a very unlikely source: Vurnon Anita. Now, I have been very critical of Vurnon Anita of late, but against Swansea he put in a very good shift; against Manchester City, he put in an even better shift. The little Dutchman was up and down that right-hand side all game. He took his goal majestically, and I was so happy for him because there’s nothing I like more than a Newcastle player proving me wrong. If, and that’s a big IF, if Anita can replicate that kind of performance in our next few games, then just maybe we have finally identified his best position and Janmaat’s replacement.

The Duo

Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba were a rock at the back. They contested absolutely everything that was thrown at them. In the last few games, Lascelles has come on in leaps and bounds. Furthermore, the former Forest man has not shirked away during the struggle and has fronted up to the media, illustrating traits of a future-captain and exemplifying the duties of what the current captain(s) should be doing. Mbemba on the other hand read the game brilliantly and made crucial interceptions and clearances throughout the game. The duo, with the right guidance and time, could form to be a fantastic partnership for Newcastle United for years to come. No more Coloccini and Taylor, please!

Rafa Is Not Afraid

“If you aren’t playing well, you won’t be playing” – and the Newcastle manager has just done that with Wijnaldum and Shelvey. Previously, Newcastle have had weak-willed managers who were afraid to drop the star-names. I think Benítez was right in dropping top-scorer Wijnaldum, who has been performing below average for months. The Dutch international seems to have reacted well on his omission – as when he came on as a substitute – we saw more of a willingness and desire to get the winner. Hopefully, that kind of stance from Rafa is resonated well in the dressing room, especially amongst some of the more insubordinate individuals.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

A surprising stat I read the other day is that Newcastle have scored more home goals than Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool (before Liverpool’s 4-0 win against Everton). With the away record we have, we will be heavily relying on our final 2 home games. It is evident that the players feel more assertive and assured of themselves at St. James’ Park. Our next home game is Crystal Palace, with Palace “just about” safe and in poor form, I expect us to take full advantage of that and come away with 3 points. Our final home game is Tottenham, and if Tottenham come to St. James’ Park with half-a-chance in winning the league, than we are in trouble. Our away game against Liverpool is probably a write-off and our final away game is against an already relegated Aston Villa. History suggests that already relegated teams tend to play with freedom and start picking up the odd results.

No-Show Jonjo

During his first few games in a Black And White shirt, Shelvey looked like a real bargain at £12m. However, in the last few games, he has gone missing and failed to even make an appearance against Manchester City. A real surprise, when you consider he was given the armband in Coloccini’s absence. Perhaps, Benítez has acknowledged that Shelvey isn’t the type of player you need when your gameplan is to chase every single ball and be compact. At home, when you have more time on the ball and able to create space, Shelvey is great – he can make a defence-splitting pass and readily ping the ball from one side to another. However, away from home, when you’re doing the chasing, the 24-year-old has shown a lack of desire to do the dirty work; maybe the captain’s armband was entrusted upon him way too soon? I expect Colback and Tioté to continue their central midfield partnership.

Mitrović Must Start

Probably not our most natural goalscorer, but he is a player that will work, work and work. A real handful, his threat was clear when he came on against Manchester City. In the last few weeks, the Serbian has demonstrated that he is more than up for the fight. When he came on against Swansea, Newcastle had a different outlet up top and looked like a completely different side. At Carrow Road, Newcastle did not look like scoring until Mitrović’s entrance – all of a sudden, Norwich’s defence looked uneasy. Cissé can score a goal from out of nothing, and his goals per game ratio as a Newcastle player has proved that he is our most natural goalscorer. However, he doesn’t offer the same threat as Mitrović when going forward: the hold-up play, the desire, the energy, and the aerial threat. The former Anderlecht man gets the crowd going, with 3 goals in 5; he is our most in-form striker and must be in the starting XI in our final four games.