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.
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Denne historien er fra September 29, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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CHANCE FOR A BREAKTHROUGH
S'pore's Teh faces Hong Kong's Ng in Macau for maiden international badminton crown
A rivalry, a tragedy, and a lesson in sportsmanship
This is a story at once terrible, startling and moving.
CITY'S GRIP LOOSENS IN RODRI'S ABSENCE
Skipper de Bruyne adds to champions' injury woes as they suffer second draw in a week
Trossard fires Gunners to victory in late show
Leandro Trossard erased the memory of his red card last week with a brilliant performance as Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead at home to Leicester City but struck twice in injury time for a 4-2 win in the English Premier League on Sept 28.
A first away win but Albirex coach dissatisfied
Despite being pinned in their own half for most of the first 45 minutes, Albirex Niigata managed to claim their first away win of the season by beating 10-man Balestier Khalsa 3-2 at the Bishan Stadium on Sept 28.
Red Devils boss' days numbered if poor form persists
More dissatisfaction at Manchester United, a state of being that is beginning to embrace permanence. Their mediocre start to the season continued with a Europa League draw with FC Twente, both Christian Eriksen and Erik ten Hag admitting the Dutch team had shown greater desire.
TEN HAG BEMOANS THE LACK OF GOALS
He says United not scoring despite creating, but backs captain Fernandes to come good
Boks maul Pumas as All Blacks win at Wellington
Really pleased to reverse the curse,\" said All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett.
AWESOME IN FOURSOMES
Scott notches 22nd Presidents Cup point as International team bounce back in style
Wada wants a ban after Sinner cleared of doping
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) said on Sept 28 that it has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the steroid case of tennis world No.1 Jannik Sinner.