Struggling Newcastle went behind early on in Tuesday’s match at St James’ Park when Sergio Aguero nodded home his 100th Premier League goal from an offside position.
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Aguero, City’s top scorer, claimed his landmark goal after 14 minutes, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side were pegged back before half-time as Dutch global Vurnon Anita found the net for the first time in more than two years to earn a deserved point for Rafael Benitez’s side.
Unfortunately for Newcastle, Sunderland have played one game fewer for their 30 points and must be favourite of the two north-east teams to make it out alive. It means that Arsenal’s draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday is not quite the catastrophe they thought it was – not with them only a point behind City in third place.
He said: “Both teams had chances, both teams have come off the pitch saying they should have had the three points, but it’s a point, we’re still alive, we’re still kicking and we’re still in there with a chance”.
I could understand that as progress in Europe has to be a major priority now, as has making sure the team finishes in the top four.
“I am happy because we started winning the game but after that we didn’t have the control and we didn’t play very well”, said Pellegrini.
“We knew it would be a tough game because Newcastle are fighting not to be relegated”.
“The officials have nothing to do with the result”.
By the end City were hanging on for a point and Newcastle had the chances to win the game, not least Wijnaldrum who forced that fine save from Hart. The Belgian had recovered from a recurring calf injury, and Raheem Sterling was fit enough to take a place on the bench.
The England winger is hopeful of getting some more minutes in his legs for the weekend visit of Stoke, ahead of next week’s Champions League semi-final, first-leg at home to Real Madrid.
“He was one of the players that I knew when we were playing against Newcastle was very risky”.
“Always in the Premier League every point is important if you want to reach your targets”.
“I have to be pleased because against a team like Man City, to do what we have done from 1-0 down, the reaction of the team, you have to be pleased”, said the Spaniard.
Newcastle, buoyed by Saturday’s victory over Swansea, pushed for a victor, but they couldn’t convert their positive performance into goals as City, boosted by the returning Vincent Kompany, stood firm on Tyneside.
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He added: “You can not change things that have happened”. I think we could have done better and create more chances, but we didn’t. “The fans are behind the players and they will fight to the end”. “Today was an example of that”.
