Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope stepped up with a big save to deny Erling Haaland in Saturday’s win over Manchester City.
Eddie Howe faced a testing international break after watching Newcastle United lose 3-1 away at Brentford.
Newcastle needed to respond and did so with a fantastic 2-1 home win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Harvey Barnes found the net twice to hand Newcastle all three points in another fine home victory.
Erling Haaland was kept quiet by Malick Thiaw, but he did force one big save from Nick Pope.
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Nick Pope steps up amid Aaron Ramsdale pressure
Howe got big decisions right against City, which was much needed after that terrible afternoon at Brentford.
The goalkeeping position will have been on Howe’s mind after Pope’s shaky display in West London.
Aaron Ramsdale came on to replace Pope, and some wondered whether he would start against City.
Howe went with Pope, and the Newcastle stopper came up with one big first-half moment.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Nico O’Reilly drove to the byline and cut the ball back to Haaland as he peeled off Fabian Schar.
This is the kind of chance Haaland usually rifles home, but Pope managed to get himself in the way and block what looked to be a certain goal.
There was perhaps a little slice of fortune in there, but Pope got himself in the right place to make a crucial save.
Pope had little chance when Ruben Dias found the net via a deflection, but he can feel pleased with his display amid mounting pressure from Ramsdale.
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Aaron Ramsdale may be waiting for his next chance
Newcastle signed Ramsdale from Southampton over the summer, striking a loan deal with a view to a permanent switch.
So far, Ramsdale has only started two Newcastle games – and both came in the Carabao Cup.
Ramsdale impressed against Tottenham, but he has not been able to supplant Pope as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Pope has kept his place despite a poor showing at Brentford, and that means Ramsdale may be waiting for the Carabao Cup once again.
Newcastle face Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on 17 December, and Ramsdale will likely come into the side for that game as Pope continues in the Premier League and Champions League.
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