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Man City 0-0 Newcastle Man City 0-0 Newcastle
(40 minutes later)
Manchester City and Newcastle ground out a goalless draw that would have done neither of the Premiership strugglers any favours.Manchester City and Newcastle ground out a goalless draw that would have done neither of the Premiership strugglers any favours.
Substitute Bernardo Corradi and Joey Barton came closest to breaking the deadlock for City.Substitute Bernardo Corradi and Joey Barton came closest to breaking the deadlock for City.
Barton had a low drive drift wide and half-volley tipped over by keeper Steve Harper, while Corradi headed wide twice and had a toe-poked effort saved.Barton had a low drive drift wide and half-volley tipped over by keeper Steve Harper, while Corradi headed wide twice and had a toe-poked effort saved.
Newcastle's Kieron Dyer had a shot blocked by Micah Richards at the death.Newcastle's Kieron Dyer had a shot blocked by Micah Richards at the death.
Interview: Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce Interview: Necastle boss Glenn Roeder
For those who ventured to Eastlands, with particular reference to the ones who travelled from the North East, they must have wondered whether staying in bed would have been the better option following a turgid first half.For those who ventured to Eastlands, with particular reference to the ones who travelled from the North East, they must have wondered whether staying in bed would have been the better option following a turgid first half.
Both City and the Magpies have enjoyed better periods in their history and judging by their performances on Saturday, it will be a while before they see another.Both City and the Magpies have enjoyed better periods in their history and judging by their performances on Saturday, it will be a while before they see another.
606: DEBATE Newcastle played really good football in the closing minutes. They can perform if they have the right mindset SC 606: Have your say606: DEBATE Newcastle played really good football in the closing minutes. They can perform if they have the right mindset SC 606: Have your say
The Magpies started brightly with some slick passing and tigerish tackling, but that lasted all of 10 minutes before tension and slack control took over.The Magpies started brightly with some slick passing and tigerish tackling, but that lasted all of 10 minutes before tension and slack control took over.
City had the best and only chances of the opening half, with the lively Barton coming close on a couple of occasions.City had the best and only chances of the opening half, with the lively Barton coming close on a couple of occasions.
The diminutive star of the side first saw his shot creep wide of keeper Harper's right-hand post.The diminutive star of the side first saw his shot creep wide of keeper Harper's right-hand post.
He came closer moments later when a half-volley from the edge of the area had to be palmed over the bar by the Newcastle shot-stopper.He came closer moments later when a half-volley from the edge of the area had to be palmed over the bar by the Newcastle shot-stopper.
City's Claudio Reyna also had a half chance, but after good control inside the area he scuffed his effort against defender Peter Ramage.City's Claudio Reyna also had a half chance, but after good control inside the area he scuffed his effort against defender Peter Ramage.
Things had to get better after the break, and they did, marginally.Things had to get better after the break, and they did, marginally.
Both sides made tactical changes early on with the home side bringing on forwards Corradi and Georgios Samaras while Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder opting to add Dyer and Charles N'Zogbia to the field of play.Both sides made tactical changes early on with the home side bringing on forwards Corradi and Georgios Samaras while Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder opting to add Dyer and Charles N'Zogbia to the field of play.
It was Corradi, though, who looked the liveliest and came close to giving his side the lead on three occasions.It was Corradi, though, who looked the liveliest and came close to giving his side the lead on three occasions.
Two of his efforts came from headers that drifted narrowly wide of Harper's goal but his best chance fell to him inside the six-yard area when a goalbound poked shot had to be saved at the second time of asking by Harper.Two of his efforts came from headers that drifted narrowly wide of Harper's goal but his best chance fell to him inside the six-yard area when a goalbound poked shot had to be saved at the second time of asking by Harper.
Newcastle almost stole all three points at the death, but first Dyer had a shot blocked by Richards and then Nolberto Solano's 20-yard drive was deflected just wide by team-mate Antoine Sibierski.Newcastle almost stole all three points at the death, but first Dyer had a shot blocked by Richards and then Nolberto Solano's 20-yard drive was deflected just wide by team-mate Antoine Sibierski.
  • Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder: "In the opening 45 minutes we looked tired but we survived without conceding up to half-time.  
  • Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder: "In the opening 45 minutes we looked tired but we survived without conceding up to half-time.  
    "But the longer the game went on the stronger we became and as the game opened up and became more stretched we passed the ball a lot better.  "But the longer the game went on the stronger we became and as the game opened up and became more stretched we passed the ball a lot better.  
    "The lads could sense there was the chance to win the game late on and we did have two opportunities."The lads could sense there was the chance to win the game late on and we did have two opportunities.
    "On the balance of play it is a point gained rather than two lost.""On the balance of play it is a point gained rather than two lost."