Newcastle United’s misery continued as they shipped four goals against Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The loss leaves the Magpies on 10 points, two points off safety but 17th placed Watford have played two games less and 18th placed Burnley have played three games less. Newcastle have only picked up four points from their last six games.
City took the initiative early on, being gifted a fifth-minute opener Ciaran Clark missed Joao Cancelo cross that left it for Ruben Dias to head in from point-blank range.
20 minutes later, Joelinton had a chance to equalise, but rather predictably shot wide before the league leaders doubled their lead. Cancelo took the ball from 35-yards-out, beat two Newcastle defenders and put it in the top corner. Although the strike is one for the highlight reels, Magpie boss Eddie Howe said post-match how he was not happy with how easy it was to breach his side’s defence.
79 - Newcastle have now conceded 79 goals in the Premier League during 2021; the joint-most by a team in the competition in a calendar year, along with Ipswich Town in 1994. Turnstile.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 19, 2021
The Home crowd made themselves known shortly after as they believe they should have had a penalty, as Ederson took out Ryan Fraser, but it’s believed the penalty wasn’t given as the ball had been moved away from where the challenge occurred.
At half-time, Howe introduced star player, Alain Saint-Maximin, in the hope of turning his side’s fortune, but it didn’t stop the misery for long.
Riyad Mahrez added a third, that was initially ruled out for offside, but was later given to really deflate the Newcastle team.
Newcastle had a chance to grab a consolation goal, but Ederson tipped over Callum Wilson’s powerful header. City then added a fourth to round out the game, with Raheem Sterling claiming his 101st Premier League goal, to prolong the damp mood in the North East.
Howe and his staff will be hoping to get December over and done with as quickly as possible, with Manchester United and Everton, who have won their last two, still to play.
January will also open the door for reinforcements at St James Park, which Howe and Newcastle fans will no doubt be anticipating.