Pep Guardiola rang the changes to his starting lineup for Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Newcastle. Ten changes were made to the starting eleven that drew with Nottingham Forest as Guardiola took the opportunity to rotate his squad. Nathan Ake and John Stones both started at St. James’ Park as City beat Newcastle 3-1, and come the final whistle, they both showed that they can still play an important role for Manchester City for the remainder of this season.
Nathan Ake and John Stones were both steady at the back for Manchester City against Newcastle.
Manchester City went 1-0 down against Newcastle last night when Harvey Barnes scored in the 18th minute. For the first 20 minutes, it did seem that City would be up against it at St. James’ Park. But Pep Guardiola’s side steadied and slowly took control of last night’s FA Cup tie. Savinho’s equalizer came after a sustained spell of City possession and pressure. In the second half, Omar Marmoush bagged a brace to cap off a fine City performance.
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From the 20th minute onwards, Manchester City kept control of last night’s match, and at the back, they routinely kept out Eddie Howe’s side. Abdukodir Khusanov and Matheus Nunes were both superb at the back last night. Nathan Ake and John Stones quietly went about their work, and while other players will get the headlines, both players put in a timely reminder that they could still yet play an important role this season.
Nathan Ake was very good at left-back last night. The Dutch international showed no signs of rust as he was solid defensively throughout last night’s match. In possession, Ake did offer a threat going forward. He wasn’t Rayan Ait-Nouri by any stretch. Ake was tidy on the ball and always ready to find Jeremy Doku or his teammates in space. Ake did his job superbly well last night.
John Stones made a slow start to last night’s match. For the first 20 minutes he looked off the pace his team struggled against Newcastle. After that period, Stones grew into the match. He saw the game exceptionally well and alongside Abdukodir Khusanov he helped City contain the threat of Newcastle. In possession, John Stones was solid and drifted forward to link up Manchester City’s possession play. Like Ake, Stones showed that he can play an important role for City this season.
John Stones was thrilled to contribute to Manchester City’s win.
Speaking after Manchester City clinched their place in the quarter-final stage of this season’s FA Cup, John Stones said it felt good to be back on the pitch helping his team. He explained: “It was just nice to be out there and contributing. Getting your rhythm back is massive, here in the first 20 minutes is always difficult with their pace and power. Having that positivity to be ready when called upon and I think we did that tonight.”
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It was great to see Nathan Ake and John Stones put in solid contributions for Manchester City against Newcastle. The pair of experienced defenders are highly likely in the final chapter of their City careers. As City bid to contend for four major trophies, Pep Guardiola will need his entire squad to contribute. John Stones and Nathan Ake showed that they are ready and able to contribute to the cause when called upon as they both help City overcome Newcastle at St. James’ Park last night.
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