CITY'S GRIP LOOSENS IN RODRI'S ABSENCE

Skipper de Bruyne adds to champions' injury woes as they suffer second draw in a week

Manchester City failed to shrug off the absence of midfielder Rodri in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on Sept 28, as they dropped points for the second consecutive English Premier League game.

The Spaniard has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury picked up in the fiery 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Sept 22. Creative midfielder and captain Kevin de Bruyne was also out injured.

Defender Josko Gvardiol put the visitors in front at St James' Park, but Newcastle were well worthy of the point given to them by Anthony Gordon's second-half penalty.

Guardiola described Rodri, who is unbeaten in his past 52 Premier League appearances stretching back to February 2023, as "irreplaceable" but vowed to find a collective solution.

Teenager Rico Lewis was thrust forward into a central midfield role alongside Mateo Kovacic. But City lacked the control and poise so often provided by Rodri on and off the ball.

"It is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep. We had chances, but (Nick) Pope (the goalkeeper) was brilliant, so we take the point. We made bad decisions (with the chances) to make it 2-0," said Guardiola.