Newcastle and City show a thriller, scoring three times each.
The starting line-up of magpies does not change relative to the goalless match against Brighton.
There are two changes to City’s starting line-up. Ruben Dias and Riyad Mahrez are replaced by John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
St James’ Park open the scoring in the fifth minute. Bernardo crosses the ball into the goalmouth for Ilkay Gündogan to freely receive it and hit the target with the second touch to make it 0-1.
The teams then proceed to play open football with some chances on both sides. Both goalkeepers Nick Pope and Ederson get several opportunities to show their mettle.
Newcastle are not the least bit intimidated by the reigning champions and, with the support of their fans, still equalize in the 28th minute. The tireless Allan Saint-Maximin crosses from the left flank into the net, where Miguel Almiron throws the ball into the net – 1-1.
The hosts are even more enthusiastic and take a confident lead on 38 minutes. Allan Saint-Maximin steps up, drawing the defenders’ attention away to Callum Wilson who heads the ball home with a second touch from inside the 11-metre box to make it 2-1.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Erling Haaland hits the post and Newcastle response with a fine free-kick from Kieran Trippier to make it 3-1.
City go all-out, pressing their opponents to the goal, and in the 60th minute the Magpies concede a goal. Kevin De Bruyne crosses the ball to the far post with Rodri getting on the ball and sending it to Haaland. He fires a shot from outside the penalty box making it 3-2.
Just two minutes later, Haaland goes head to head with Newcastle, but Pope stops his breakthrough.
Two minutes later, De Bruyne cuts through the home team’s defence like a hot knife, finding Silva in the centre of the box. Bernardo then takes his second touch and sends the ball into the net settings the score to 3-3.
In the 76th minute, referee Jarred Gillet also decides to take part in this colourful performance, cancelling his own decision to suspend Trippier for a foul on De Bruyne in midfield and limiting himself to a yellow card.
The guests are more assertive in the closing stages, but they are not up for another goal as the hosts pull back and withstand the pressure.
Encouraged by the support of their stands, Newcastle play from a position of strength against City and are really good. However, the city’s superior class doesn’t go anywhere, which is evident after 3-1.