Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 2-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad.
The comments from neutrals especially telling…
A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.
The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.
Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.
On this occasion the politics entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch…
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, some Manchester City fans, plus one or two Newcastle supporters also contributing:
‘How refreshing to see two teams going for it. Man City sitting on a lead but no time wasting like you all know who.’
‘(Arsenal fan) Haha Im sure I saw Man city kicking the ball away and going on the floor every 5 minutes… going for it?…Man city sat back all of the second half and if Newcastle were better in the final third Man city would have been looking at just the point.’
‘(Spurs fan) Man City should have had a hatful tonight. Not sure what you were watching.’
‘Newcastle had a good go well done.’
‘Surely Arsenal’s title now, after Man City just about cling on against a side playing their fourth away game in 12 days, without the luxury of signing two elite players in January, and with almost every marginal decision going their way?’
‘Plenty of cynical fouling which went unpunished as usual for Man City.’
‘They accuse Arsenal of ‘the dark arts’ yet they’re one of the worst. Should have been 2-2 tonight. Pep’s usual response to a crisis – sign more players when no-one else can compete, but hey it’s ‘genius’.’
‘Man City again showing Arsenal how champions hold their nerve. Fair play to Newcastle, a great game.’
‘I thought players on the same team had to wear the same strip? Surely if you push someone offside in the penalty area it’s a foul or the goal has to stand. And as for kicking the ball away …… ?’
‘Can someone explain how a player can be pushed into an offside position by a defender in the box and not concede a pen….expected to get beat not cheated by var yet again.’
‘From a Sunderland supporter fantastic attempt Newcastle but Man City got the points which was what I was cheering for.’
‘Rather than complain about refereeing decisions that pretty much never get given anyway, let’s complain about the failure to pass to Gordon and Elanga multiple times when they had an absolutely free run on goal.
Bruno would have been right on that.’
‘How was the Silva challenge on Burn not a second yellow? No intent to play the ball at all’
‘Ref seemed to let a lot go, but you want that. Great battle between Burn and Haaland, the yellow card for Burn didn’t seem to dilute it any.’
‘Well deserved win for Man City, no doubt, who must be title favourites now.
But what an encouraging performance from Newcastle! Kept everyone on the edge of their seat right to the end.’
‘Joelinton the most unbraziian brazilian ever’
‘Brazil have always had midfielder willing to stick a foot in and that’s their job. All their best teams of the last forty years have had one.’
‘Newcastle played well and succumbed to 2 silly defensive mistakes plus various bad ref moments. Not sure how Burn was meant to stay onside after being pushed into that position. Really missing Livramento at the back.’
‘Great effort lads after all of the travelling this week.’
‘All the travelling you would think they had to walk there. Moaning on about how far they travelled give your head a shake.’
‘Great game for the neutral, end to end, fouls galore (Burn) and well refereed with none of that VAR stuff.
Well played both teams !’
‘From a neutral, we all ‘dislike’ Man City, but we dislike Arsenal a whole lot more !!’
‘Newcastle United played well, especially after a 5,000-mile round trip to Azerbaijan a few days ago.
They should be confident with the next games ahead.’
‘No Champions League football for Newcastle next season. Unless they win it this year which I highly doubt.’
‘These 2 sides must be sick of each other this season.
FA Cup still to come!
And Champions League?’
Manchester City 2 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 21 February 2026 8pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Hall 22
Man City:
O’Reilly 14, 27
Possession was Newcastle 45% Man City 55%
Total shots were Newcastle 13 Man City 15
Shots on target were Newcastle 7 Man City 7
Corners were Newcastle 5 Man City 5
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 18 Man City 28
Newcastle team v Man City:
Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock (Barnes 60), Elanga (Jacob Murphy 78), Gordon (Osula 78), Woltemade (Joelinton 60)
Subs:
Ruddy, Ramsdale, Alex Murphy, Shahar, Neave
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