Beren

More than any other position I thought a new dynamite starting RW would provide the most material upgrade to the team (even more than LB) and likely bring the best out of the likes of Isak and Wilson. I like Miggy most of the time, but he shouldn't be a starter.

Fair play it was a good win. Who you hoping to draw in the Champions League this year mate?

Howe saying they played well

Shit start to the season from him overall. He has significant reserves of capital with the fans, but the ambitions of the owners are more demanding, and I suspect they will afford fewer mistakes. If he can't get this side to make the leap against the big sides in the big games in the next two seasons... Wouldn't be surprised if they revisit if he is the person to deliver on the loftiest of ambitions.

Liverpool were great with 10 men. But Howe has not got this Newcastle side mentally ready for either Man City or Liverpool. Obsequious performances. Understandable against Man City. Against Liverpool, pretty embarrassing - and that's before they're a goal and a man down. Pope - 4 Trippier - 6.5 Botman - 6 Schar - 7 Burn - 6.5 Miggy - 5 Gordon - 8 Bruno - 5 Joelinton - 5 Isak - 5 Wilson - 5.5 Barnes - 5 Howe - 2 The footballing emotions high, but seriously, what a ridiculous waste of an opportunity to exercise that Liverpool demon.

Nunez has been fantastic. Great striker. Newcastle have played so scared the last two weeks. Vaguely pathetic tbh. Said it 1-0 up at the half. Whether it's Eddie Howe, or the players not executing, they are playing as though they're facing teams two divisions above them. A long season left ahead, but the collective jets on bumming Howe and this Newcastle side need serious cooling.

That's abysmal from Miggy

Oh, and well played Gordon. Been fantastic. I gave him a lot of stick last year, he looks ten times the player today.

Joelinton playing with lead in his boots at times, and playing too high up. Not showing himself for the ball enough. Isak a bit isolated and not in his best run of form. Pope has been bobbins commanding his area. A bit of a concern.

Great place to be at the half. Not a great performance first half though, IMO. Don't really care today, as long as Newcastle win.

I think if Newcastle are less nervous than last week they will win. Home crowd should help.

Would a sale and loanback trip FFP regs? So if Newcastle sold Callum Wilson to a Saudi club for £50m, and brought him back in on loan - is that just a positive net £50m movement (depending on who pays wages) etc?

This made me giggle, thinking of some proper shameless player diving and doing the yellow card-waving in one motion, and then saying the yellow was part of his fall.

Such half-measure bullshit man. That kind of subjectivity is what gets refs in so much bother in the first place. Clear as day. Really clear rule. Booking.

Should have been three yellows. One for diving, two for card-waving. Ref bottled it because he already sent someone off. Great chance to actually send a message there.

Howay. Book Arsenal for the imaginary card-waving. Do something.

Good game this. With Man City being Man City it all feels a bit redundant, but three points here would be an excellent result for Arsenal in the battle for second. Palace look like a decent side.

I think maineblue's characterisation of the game is largely correct. They were down some big players, they didn't use (or have to use) any subs. No meaningful shots on goal. It felt a little bit like when Man Utd got beat 2-0 in the Champions League final by Barcelona where it was artificially close. But there's no pressure on Howe, or no imperative to get a result against Liverpool. That's just complete nonsense from a Citeh fan hoping we can make a more prominent title rival in Liverpool stumble We've gone from relegation zone to Champions League.

I think they were just focused on exhausting the team. They easily could have had a few more tbh.

They weren't IMO.

Absolute chasm between the sides. Nothing more to be said. Foden, in particular, was insane. They played starters midweek. We used all subs, correctly got loads of yellow cards, they used no subs. And it was a walk in the park. They're in a different league. Proud of the second half effort, but yeah. Newcastle firmly put in their place.

Yeah that's fair enough, and I suspect they're saving their ambition for later in the second half - but misplacing 5-10 yard passes or not being able to control loose balls, that's totally a mental thing IMO.

Not trying to be hyperbolic in my criticism, but I think Newcastle might watch that half back and feel a bit embarrassed. No shortage of effort, especially out of possession, Man City are by far away the better side, and that's all fine, but the amount of times Newcastle players have shat their pants with unforced misplaced passes or heavy first touches is not the standard the team will hold themselves to. Still think this Newcastle team are class, but a lot of that wasn't Man City brilliance. Just Newcastle way too intimidated, not daring to take on anyone.

Very overawed when in possession. Need to settle mentally.

Should be booked for holding his lead like that