It was a day to forget for Newcastle as Manchester City ensured they would be top of the league by Christmas.
Ciaran Clark will surely be looking to banish this game from his thoughts, as well, after a poor defensive display against City.
Pep Guardiola’s side won 4-0 at St James’ Park and were behind after only five minutes when Clark inexplicably ducked under a Joao Cancelo cross and allowed Ruben Dias to head home.
The goal was labelled a “catastrophe” after it was conceded. After the game, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher of accusing Clark of switching off and failing to do ‘the very basics of defending’.
The Ireland star was slated for his part in that giant mix-up with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. “He’s just got to head it,” Carragher said.
“It’s absolutely shocking that so early in the game. Listen, you could argue they’re both at fault. I’ve been in that position at times, you’ve just got to head it away.
“This is Ciaran Clark who was involved in the Norwich goal as well – that’s just a terrible start. They’re just not good enough defensively.”
FIVE MINUTES IN ⚡
Ruben Dias puts #MCFC in front!
Horrendous defending from #NUFC 😦
📺 Watch #NEWMCI live on Sky Sports PL pic.twitter.com/QlMSl1auAT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 19, 2021
Jamie Carragher not impressed with Newcastle defence
27 minutes into the game, City went 2-0 up after Cancelo thwacked one into the top corner from 25 yards out.
Carragher said it was ‘a great goal’ but Ciaran Clark and Jamal Lascelles were far from blameless, in his opinion.
“Defensively,” he said, “you’ve got to throw yourself at that.
“That’s an average ability – make yourself as big as possible. The two of them make themselves as small as possible. As soon as Cancelo comes inside, he takes another touch at the edge of the box.”
Jermaine Defoe agreed that either Clark or Lascelles should have ‘come out and engaged’ and felt that Cancelo was given too much time and space to pick his shot.
🗣 "Defensively you've got to throw yourself at that."@Carra23 says Newcastle's defending for Man City's second goal was unbelievable as both defenders turned their back on the ball pic.twitter.com/zomAYvmf0x
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 19, 2021
Goals from Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, in the second half, wrapped up another comfortable Manchester City win.
Newcastle, meanwhile, remain 19th and are only kept off the bottom of the league standings as they have a superior goal difference to Norwich City.
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