Newcastle are selling themselves short by wasting time, Eddie Howe’s side have outperformed this season, but they will regret not making the most of representative openings after Man City’s defeat
- The ball was in play for 54 minutes and 49 seconds during Man City vs Newcastle
- No fan pays to watch Pope bang his studs on a post for long periods of time
- To be so focused on timekeeping is at odds with Newcastle’s capabilities as a team
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Bernardo Silva rolled off and the game was over. Rather lonely, one member of Newcastle United’s backroom staff leaned back to another. “That’s the difference,” he said.
At 1-0 they had just missed another big chance by not taking advantage of the predominance. Manchester City were confused, Ederson kicking a goal kick out of play to consternation in the stands. Ruben Dias and Pep Guardiola both rallied the crowd.
And then City went straight down the other side and scored.
“I think it’s about both boxes,” said Dan Burn when asked how Newcastle bridged the gap between themselves and the best. Goals have dried up and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in six games.
Their game plan against the top is clear – frustrate to the brink of anarchy. Newcastle gets under the skin like few others. At one point, Dias had to push Anthony Gordon away from a City group as the youngster tried to eavesdrop during a break in play.
Bernardo Silva scored in the 67th minute to seal Manchester City’s victory over Newcastle
The ball was in play for 54 minutes and 49 seconds, the lowest in the Etihad season
No fan pays to watch Pope bang his studs on a post for long periods of time
Those interruptions were frequent: the ball was between the white lines for just 54 minutes and 49 seconds, the lowest total at the Etihad Stadium all season.
Nick Pope regularly waited longer than 25 seconds to take goal kicks. Even being a goal behind, he took an age. On the hour, before Silva’s clincher, he took 35 seconds.
There were three long injury breaks for players who also failed to come off right away.
And you wonder: is Newcastle better than this?
They created chances and could feel that the result was not a fair reflection of the game, so being so focused on timekeeping is against their ability. No fan pays to see Pope hit his studs on a post or scrupulously check where the valve is.
That this was City’s lowest ball-in-play time at home indicated Newcastle’s approach to the game. That it was the third-highest playing time of Eddie Howe’s away trips this season points to a pattern.
Newcastle have topped this season, even with the rough patch they are in. Sixth, four points off a Champions League spot with two games left in hand, adds up to a great campaign.
But if new signings arrive and Newcastle look to impress more than 20 minutes in the big games, the plan will inevitably evolve. For now, they will regret not making the most of representative openings.
Burn said: ‘I’d rather we create all these chances and not score them than not create them at all. I’m not really worried, to be honest. Not many teams will come here and do what we did to City.’
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