{"id":278252,"date":"2025-11-23T03:02:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T03:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/278252\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T03:02:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T03:02:10","slug":"alan-shearer-highlights-man-city-concern-in-premier-league-title-race-with-arsenal-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/278252\/","title":{"rendered":"Alan Shearer highlights Man City ‘concern’ in Premier League title race with Arsenal | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\tFormer Newcastle United Alan Shearer (Picture: PLP)<\/p>\n

Alan Shearer<\/a> fears that Manchester City<\/a>\u2019s porous defence is a \u2018concern\u2019 in the Premier League<\/a> title race after their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pep Guardiola<\/a>\u2019s side had the chance to cut Arsenal<\/a>\u2019s lead to just one point at the top of the table ahead of Sunday\u2019s north London derby at the Emirates.<\/a><\/p>\n

However, a second-half brace from Harvey Barnes saw Newcastle<\/a> pick up a much-needed win at St James\u2019 Park to further dent City\u2019s title hopes.<\/p>\n

City have now lost consecutive league games on the road, with the loss dropping them to third behind Chelsea and potentially seven points behind the Gunners if Mikel Arteta\u2019s side can beat Tottenham on Sunday.<\/p>\n

There was an element of controversy with Newcastle\u2019s winner, which was eventually awarded after a torturously long investigation from VAR. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tYour ultimate guide to the football season\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday \u2013 sign up<\/a>, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n

And while Guardiola was keen to vent his frustrations at the officials at full-time, Shearer believes the Spaniard should be more concerned with how easily Eddie Howe\u2019s side were able to carve out chances throughout the encounter.<\/p>\n

\u2018I understand his frustration because his team have been beaten and well-beaten in that second half,\u2019 Shearer told Premier League Productions.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-MAN
\n\t\tPep Guardiola\u2019s side fell to another away defeat (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018They didn\u2019t create a lot. He\u2019s raw just after the game, he\u2019s seen his team beaten in a really tough game, but for me the concern would be how many chances they are giving up, not any refereeing decisions or bad luck. <\/p>\n

\u2018If Newcastle had their shooting boots on, they should have scored six or seven \u2013 they issed four absolute sitters. The way they carved City open would be a bigger concern for me.\u2019<\/p>\n

With defending champions Liverpool falling to another concerning defeat against Nottingham Forest, many have speculated that City may be the only team capable of challenging Arsenal in this season\u2019s title race.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-MAN
\n\t\tErling Haaland blanked at St James\u2019 Park (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

But Shearer believes that Saturday\u2019s result shows that Guardiola\u2019s side are still some way off the side that romped to four-straight league titles under the Spaniard.<\/p>\n

\u2018They are certainly not as good as they were, and we might never see them as good as what they were when they were on that unbelievable run,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

\u2018I mean, the standards that they set in terms of winning trophies, goals and all of those things, they were brilliant and I\u2019, not sure we\u2019ll see them get to that again. <\/p>\n

\t\t\"Newcastle
\n\t\tHarvey Barnes scored twice to secure a much-needed win for the Magpies (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018They are certainly not the same team without the brilliant Rodri and the protection he gives them in that team. I\u2019m not sure they\u2019ve replaced him as yet. Whether they can find someone as good, probably not. <\/p>\n

\u2018But the concern would be for me defensively. They are always going to socre goals, particularly with Haaland up front, but defensively they certainly aren\u2019t as sharp as they used to be.\u2019<\/p>\n

Speaking after the game, Guardiola told BBC Sport: \u2018Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had. <\/p>\n

\u2018It was entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn\u2019t win.\u2019<\/p>\n

Asked if he was frustrated to drop points ahead of Arsenal\u2019s game on Sunday, he replied: \u2018Always but it is a football game and the opponent is playing and they played good too.\u2019<\/p>\n

Both City and Newcastle return to European action in midweek, with City hosting Bayer Leverkusen and Newcastle visiting Marseille.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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