United didn't start well, as City took the game by the scruff of the neck, and the penalty decision just about put us out of the game!
The Toon players were up for a fight, no doubt. Damien Duff three times charged down clearances from City defenders ... leading with his FACE ... not the usual "I'll make an effort but turn my back on it" that we see so often from players.
Shola Ameobi clattered City skipper Richard Dunne twice before the Irish international could settle into the game.
But the penalty showed - when you're at the bottom of the table you NEVER get help from the referee - and this is a ref with a BIG reputation for favouring the big sides. Man Utd and Liverpool have both had the benefit of his wisdom this season to pick up points.
Manchester City looked to be gifted victory when Habib Beye was harshly sent off for a 12th-minute challenge on Robinho, who calmly picked himself up and converted the resulting penalty.
But Newcastle fought back strongly. City kept their shape throughout ... Newcastle didn't have ANY shape ... although that was understandable as they had to cover at right-back for the missing defender.
City showed organisation; United showed individual flare and passion.
And it worked for the Toon ... until Joe Kinnear changed the tactics with ten minutes to go.
Shola Ameobi, with his first Premier League goal since October 15, 2006, had earlier cancelled out Robinho's opener, and when City skipper Richard Dunne sliced a Geremi corner into his own net, three points were within the Magpies' grasp.
However, Joe took off Ameobi, put on Andy Carroll ... and he went back to his Wimbledon roots and the dreaded long-ball game.
Nine-men behind the ball, Carroll the 6ft 4" bean pole up front, and it all went sadly wrong!
Rather than keep on going for the throat ... we sat back and invited attack after attack ... and everyone to a man (sat beside me) said: "we are going to throw this away!"
Sure enough, Kinnear's Womble tactics threw City a lifeline.
NEWCASTLE: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, Butt, Duff, Martins (N'Zogbia 72), Ameobi (Carroll 79).
The Toon players were up for a fight, no doubt. Damien Duff three times charged down clearances from City defenders ... leading with his FACE ... not the usual "I'll make an effort but turn my back on it" that we see so often from players.
Shola Ameobi clattered City skipper Richard Dunne twice before the Irish international could settle into the game.But the penalty showed - when you're at the bottom of the table you NEVER get help from the referee - and this is a ref with a BIG reputation for favouring the big sides. Man Utd and Liverpool have both had the benefit of his wisdom this season to pick up points.
Manchester City looked to be gifted victory when Habib Beye was harshly sent off for a 12th-minute challenge on Robinho, who calmly picked himself up and converted the resulting penalty.
But Newcastle fought back strongly. City kept their shape throughout ... Newcastle didn't have ANY shape ... although that was understandable as they had to cover at right-back for the missing defender.
City showed organisation; United showed individual flare and passion.
And it worked for the Toon ... until Joe Kinnear changed the tactics with ten minutes to go.
Kinnear's men discovered the character which had served them so well at Everton last time out and, remarkably, took the lead.
Shola Ameobi, with his first Premier League goal since October 15, 2006, had earlier cancelled out Robinho's opener, and when City skipper Richard Dunne sliced a Geremi corner into his own net, three points were within the Magpies' grasp.
However, Joe took off Ameobi, put on Andy Carroll ... and he went back to his Wimbledon roots and the dreaded long-ball game.
Nine-men behind the ball, Carroll the 6ft 4" bean pole up front, and it all went sadly wrong!
Rather than keep on going for the throat ... we sat back and invited attack after attack ... and everyone to a man (sat beside me) said: "we are going to throw this away!"
Sure enough, Kinnear's Womble tactics threw City a lifeline.
Stephen Ireland denied the brave 10-man Toon a precious Premier League victory with a last-gasp equaliser that just about everybody in St James' Park saw coming.
Sorry Joe ... YOU BLEW IT!!!
Sorry Joe ... YOU BLEW IT!!!
NEWCASTLE: Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, Butt, Duff, Martins (N'Zogbia 72), Ameobi (Carroll 79).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Xisco, Edgar.
Goals: Ameobi 44, Dunne 63 og.
MAN CITY: Hart, Richards (Onuoha 58), Ben-Haim, Dunne, Garrido (Sturridge 83), Wright-Phillips, Kompany, Hamann (Evans 64), Ireland, Jo, Robinho.
Subs Not Used: Schmeichel, Elano, Fernandes, Berti.
Goals: Robinho 14 pen, Ireland 86.
Att: 45,908