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A reminder of all tonight’s matches…
A couple of the teams for tonight…
Your #MUFC team for tonight's game... #MUNBUR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 29, 2019
TEAM NEWS: Here's how the Clarets line-up @ManUtd tonight. pic.twitter.com/hkSQpu8JPt
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 29, 2019
TEAM NEWS:
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 29, 2019
Here’s how Newcastle United line up for tonight’s @premierleague clash against @ManCity. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/w1un4A9tX7
Your City line-up for tonight! 🙌
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 29, 2019
CITY XI | Ederson, Walker, Danilo, Stones, Laporte, Fernandinho, Silva (C), De Bruyne, Sterling, Sane, Aguero
SUBS | Muric, Gündogan, Bernardo, Mahrez, Otamendi, Jesus, Foden#NEWMCI 🔵 #mancity @HaysWorldwide pic.twitter.com/bPCgjneC0o
We’re under way in all the 7.45pm kickoffs, so the four games involving neither Manchester club.
Two goals to report on already.
Richarlison has given Everton the lead away to Huddersfield, while Brighton are in front at Fulham thanks to Glenn Murray.
Interestingly James McCarthy is on the bench for Everton tonight.
The Ireland international has not played for the first team since breaking his leg against West Brom almost a year ago to the day.
NEWCASTLE 0-1 MAN CITY (AGUERO 1)
City are ahead after 25 seconds.
Sterling crosses for David Silva. The Spanish midfielder heads it back across goal and collides with Dubravka as he does so. Sergio Aguero is consequently on hand to tap the ball into the empty net.
It’s the 15th time in his career that the Argentina international has scored against Newcastle.
The United game has also kicked off…
24 - Sergio Aguero's goal after 24 seconds was the fastest Manchester City have scored in a Premier League game since Jesus Navas scored after 13 seconds against Tottenham Hotspur in November 2013. Rapid. pic.twitter.com/bbMqk4cwAW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 29, 2019
It’s now 2-0 to Brighton against Fulham.
It’s that man again, Glenn Murray, heaping the misery on Claudio Ranieri’s relegation-threatened side.
Man City continue to dominate at St James’ Park.
Newcastle are simply trying to contain them right now, and it’s difficult to envisage a scenario other than Pep Guardiola’s side reducing Liverpool’s lead to one point at the end of the night.
As I type, however, Danilo loses the ball a couple of yards outside the area, before Perez fires a shot narrowly wide from a tight angle.
Embattled Fulham have made a change after just 26 minutes.
Tim Ream does not look injured as he goes off to be replaced by Tom Cairney.
Half-chance for Newcastle.
Rondon lays it off on the edge of the area for the onrushing Atsu.
However, Stones does well to get a block in and deflect it out for a corner.
So this happened a few minutes ago…
Ridiculous to penalise the team that has been awarded a freekick. De Bruyne booked for taking it before the referee was ready. Think it’s a law change that is quite rightly being considered. Take it as soon as you want.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 29, 2019
Still 0-0 at Old Trafford so far with not too much to report on.
Man United are bidding for their ninth win in succession under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Meanwhile, after their disastrous start, Newcastle have had one or two promising attacking moments in recent minutes, with plenty of space exploit on the rare occasions when City attacks from deep break down.
Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley is not the most popular man in the ground tonight.
Aguero plays through Sane, but the German international’s first touch is too heavy and Newcastle can breathe a sigh of relief for now.
It’s very quiet at St James’ Park right now, with City completely dominating the ball.
As I type, Sterling gets booked for a late tackle on Longstaff.
HALF-TIME: ARSENAL 0-0 CARDIFF
HALF-TIME: FULHAM 0-2 BRIGHTON
HALF-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD 0-1 EVERTON
HALF-TIME: WOLVES 0-0 WEST HAM
🔴 @Arsenal's match-day programme for tonight's match against @CardiffCityFC features Emiliano Sala on the away squad list.
— Dugout (@Dugout) January 29, 2019
A touch of class from The Gunners 👏 pic.twitter.com/auhlw4Pnce
Panic in the Newcastle area.
It starts with nice, clever City interplay, before a cross leads to Silva’s header being cleared off the line by Lejeune.
HALF-TIME: NEWCASTLE 0-1 MAN CITY
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 0-0 BURNLEY
So half-time in the two 8pm kick-offs.
Both matches have not exactly been filled with entertainment.
City have controlled proceedings at St James’ Park and deserve their lead, which they secured in the 24th second. They have struggled to build on this advantage though, amid a slow tempo and subdued atmosphere in the ground.
Newcastle have had the occasional promising counter-attacking moment, but it’s been mainly one-way traffic towards the hosts’ penalty area.
Similarly to their neighbours this evening, Man United have struggled to open up the diligent opposition defence at Old Trafford.
The 7.45pm games have recommenced.
Fulham have got a goal back on 48 minutes, with Calum Chambers firing home a powerful half-volley from the edge of the area.
The 8pm second halfs have now begun…
What a start to the second half at Craven Cottage.
Having been 2-0 down at half-time, Fulham are level on 58 minutes through Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Sane curls a dangerous cross into the box.
It narrowly eludes Sterling and everyone else, and bobbles out harmlessly for a throw in.
Still Man City on the front foot and playing the majority of the football in this game.
MAN UNITED 0-1 BURNLEY (ASHLEY BARNES 51)
Are we set for a big upset at Old Trafford?
Cork dispossesses Pereira, before setting up Barnes, who finishes clinically to give Burnley the advantage.
Two more goals elsewhere.
Having not had a shot on target in the first half, Arsenal are a goal to the good against Cardiff, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotting home a penalty.
Romain Saiss, meanwhile, has headed home from a corner to make it Wolves 1-0 West Ham.
In addition, Everton’s Lucas Digne has been sent off for a late tackle on Adama Diakhaby.
Martin Dubravka makes a decent save to deny Silva’s powerful shot from the edge of the area.
For all City’s dominance, you get the sense they are not at their best tonight. Their attacks are not quite as sharp and clinical as usual.
It’s been an incredible turnaround at Fulham, with a second goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic completing the comeback.
Are we witnessing the beginning of Claudio Ranieri’s next great managerial achievement?
Kevin De Bruyne is a lucky boy.
The Belgian international is already on a booking as he trips Richie and in the process prevents a Newcastle counter-attack.
The referee decides to be lenient and refrain from showing a second yellow, much to Rafa Benitez’s perplexity on the sideline.
Perhaps not entirely coincidentally, De Bruyne is replaced moments later by Bernardo Silva.
NEWCASTLE 1-1 MAN CITY (RONDON 66)
Out of nothing, Newcastle equalise.
A set piece is only half cleared. It’s then headed back into the danger zone and Rondon is afforded plenty of space but nonetheless volleys home superbly.
A couple of goals in the other games.
Luciano Vietto has put Fulham 4-2 up against Brighton.
In addition, Raul Jimenez has doubled Wolves’ advantage against West Ham.
Also, Alexandre Lacazette has seemingly wrapped the game up at the Emirates, with the score now Arsenal 2-0 Cardiff.
Raul Jimenez has got another for Wolves, who are home and dry against West Ham.
Meanwhile, there are signs of growing frustration at Old Trafford, with Juan Mata having been booked for dissent.
Gabriel Jesus has replaced Sane, as City search for a much-needed winner.
Almost every one of the visitors’ players are in the Newcastle half with 15 minutes remaining, as they search for a much-needed equaliser.
PENALTY TO NEWCASTLE!
Fernandinho concedes possession before tripping Longstaff.
This could be a vital moment in the title race.
NEWCASTLE 2-1 MAN CITY (RITCHIE 80)
Ritchie’s penalty is too powerful for Ederson, who guesses right but can’t prevent the ball going into the net despite getting a hand to it.
This is a huge 10 minutes for City.
MAN UNITED 0-2 BURNLEY (WOOD 79)
Ashley Westwood’s excellent cross is met by Chris Wood’s head to make it 2-0 to Burnley.
Surely that’s the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s winning run now.
FULL-TIME: ARSENAL 2-1 CARDIFF
FULL-TIME: FULHAM 4-2 BRIGHTON
FULL-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD 0-1 EVERTON
FULL-TIME: WOLVES 3-0 WEST HAM
BURNLEY 2-1 MAN UNITED (POGBA 86)
Pogba converts a well-executed penalty into the top corner to give Man United hope.
The spot kick was awarded after Ireland international Jeff Hendrick pulled back Jesse Lingard inside the area.
There will be five minutes of stoppage time at St James’ Park…
MAN UNITED 2-2 BURNLEY (LINDELOF 90)
What a comeback! Man United have equalised.
Young’s cross sees Sanchez’s header saved by Heaton, but Lindelof is on hand to convert the follow up from close range.
FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 2-2 BURNLEY
FULL-TIME: NEWCASTLE 2-1 MAN CITY
So that’s that. What a result for Newcastle!
Rafa Benitez’s side have given their survival hopes a big boost with a display that was typical of a team managed by the Spaniard.
The hosts were superbly organised at the back and took their goals well.]
City, however, looked well below their best.
Pep Guardiola appeared furious at the final whistle and his side’s attacks lacked their usual intensity, and at times, it simply felt like passing for the sake of passing watching them.
It’s a huge result too for Liverpool, who could go seven points clear at the top if they beat Leicester tomorrow.
Wow. @ManUtd have come back to 2-2 in Ole Gunnar time. Not got quite the same ring to it...
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 29, 2019
News of #MCFC's defeat has just reached Anfield 👀
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) January 29, 2019
📻 https://t.co/aaBkhCfKye#NEWMCI pic.twitter.com/aRwk8rPI9Z
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction to follow.
Join us to preview the Six Nations with Simon Zebo, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey on Thursday @7pm in Liberty Hall Theatre Dublin.
