Ben Fleming
Published November 22, 2025 9:10pm
Updated November 22, 2025 9:10pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Former Newcastle United Alan Shearer (Picture: PLP)
Alan Shearer fears that Manchester City’s porous defence is a ‘concern’ in the Premier League title race after their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United.
Pep Guardiola’s side had the chance to cut Arsenal’s lead to just one point at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s north London derby at the Emirates.
However, a second-half brace from Harvey Barnes saw Newcastle pick up a much-needed win at St James’ Park to further dent City’s title hopes.
City have now lost consecutive league games on the road, with the loss dropping them to third behind Chelsea and potentially seven points behind the Gunners if Mikel Arteta’s side can beat Tottenham on Sunday.
There was an element of controversy with Newcastle’s winner, which was eventually awarded after a torturously long investigation from VAR.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.
And while Guardiola was keen to vent his frustrations at the officials at full-time, Shearer believes the Spaniard should be more concerned with how easily Eddie Howe’s side were able to carve out chances throughout the encounter.
‘I understand his frustration because his team have been beaten and well-beaten in that second half,’ Shearer told Premier League Productions.
Pep Guardiola’s side fell to another away defeat (Picture: Getty)
‘They didn’t create a lot. He’s raw just after the game, he’s seen his team beaten in a really tough game, but for me the concern would be how many chances they are giving up, not any refereeing decisions or bad luck.
‘If Newcastle had their shooting boots on, they should have scored six or seven – they issed four absolute sitters. The way they carved City open would be a bigger concern for me.’
With defending champions Liverpool falling to another concerning defeat against Nottingham Forest, many have speculated that City may be the only team capable of challenging Arsenal in this season’s title race.
Erling Haaland blanked at St James’ Park (Picture: Getty)
But Shearer believes that Saturday’s result shows that Guardiola’s side are still some way off the side that romped to four-straight league titles under the Spaniard.
‘They are certainly not as good as they were, and we might never see them as good as what they were when they were on that unbelievable run,’ he added.
‘I mean, the standards that they set in terms of winning trophies, goals and all of those things, they were brilliant and I’, not sure we’ll see them get to that again.
Harvey Barnes scored twice to secure a much-needed win for the Magpies (Picture: Getty)
‘They are certainly not the same team without the brilliant Rodri and the protection he gives them in that team. I’m not sure they’ve replaced him as yet. Whether they can find someone as good, probably not.
‘But the concern would be for me defensively. They are always going to socre goals, particularly with Haaland up front, but defensively they certainly aren’t as sharp as they used to be.’
More Trending
-
Antoine Semenyo injury update ahead of Bournemouth vs West Ham
Channel: Football Football 1 day ago By Chris Davie - Former Arsenal striker backed to replace injured Man Utd star Benjamin Sesko
- Joe Cole urges Chelsea to sign £65m Manchester United target: 'It's a no-brainer'
- Mikel Arteta gives Viktor Gyokeres injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Tottenham
Speaking after the game, Guardiola told BBC Sport: ‘Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had.
‘It was entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn’t win.’
Asked if he was frustrated to drop points ahead of Arsenal’s game on Sunday, he replied: ‘Always but it is a football game and the opponent is playing and they played good too.’
Both City and Newcastle return to European action in midweek, with City hosting Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle visiting Marseille.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Man Utd star sparks injury fears after mysterious ‘accident in training’
Arrow MORE: Martin Keown makes Arne Slot sack prediction after Nottingham Forest humiliate Liverpool
Arrow MORE: Ruben Amorim tells Man Utd star he expects him to be ‘so much better’
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerYour guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
