ANTHONY GORDON underlined his importance to Newcastle United as he won and converted the penalty that secured a 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Gordon is set to sign a new long-term contract in the next few days, with the Magpies hierarchy determined to safeguard the England international’s future and ensure he remains on Tyneside.

And playing as a central striker in the absence of the injured Alexander Isak, Gordon highlighted his value as he slotted home a 58th-minute spot kick to cancel out Josko Gvardiol’s first-half opener for City.

The penalty was awarded after Ederson sent Gordon sprawling, with the draw a fitting reward for Newcastle’s efforts as they produced a much-improved display from last weekend’s disappointing no-show at Craven Cottage.

Howe made changes in the wake of the Fulham defeat, with Sandro Tonali coming in for his first league start since the end of his betting ban and both Lewis Hall and Jacob Murphy also returning to the Magpies’ starting XI.

From the off, Newcastle’s players displayed an intensity and aggression that had been missing at Fulham last weekend, closing down Manchester City’s defenders and pressing enthusiastically high up the field.

As a result, the league leaders struggled to create much despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession in the opening half-hour, with Newcastle’s midfield three of Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton doing a decent job of shutting down City’s creative threats.

Manuel Akanji saw an early effort deflect wide after a square ball from Jack Grealish, but Nick Pope hadn’t really been threatened before City broke the deadlock ten minutes before the break.

Grealish skipped past Kieran Trippier down the left-hand side and played the ball into Gvardiol. The full-back turned inside Dan Burn, and rolled a low finish past Pope and into the bottom corner.

Newcastle hadn’t tested Ederson before falling behind, and the Magpies were almost two goals down five minutes before the break.

Pope’s clearance was dreadful, with the ball going straight to Gundogan inside the centre-circle. The German tried to float a long-range strike into the net, but failed to make the desired contact, with the ball floating harmlessly into the arms of Newcastle’s grateful goalkeeper.

At the other end, Ederson was a spectator for almost all of the first half, but the Manchester City keeper was finally called into action in stoppage time before the break.

Burn flicked Trippier’s free-kick into the path of Joelinton, but while the Brazilian swivelled neatly in order to get a shot away, Ederson got down to keep the ball out.

The Manchester City goalkeeper had caught the eye while backheeling the ball in his own half in the first half, but he was found wanting as Newcastle levelled shortly before the hour mark.

Guimaraes’ through ball unlocked the City defence, sending Gordon scampering clear. Newcastle’s number ten was brought down while trying to round Ederson, and stepped up himself to slot his spot-kick into the corner after the award of a penalty.

The equaliser raised the temperature inside St James’ significantly, with Sandro Tonali and Grealish becoming embroiled in a running battle that eventually saw both players booked.

Pope saved from substitute Phil Foden as Manchester City tried to reestablish their lead, but with Burn and Lewis Hall especially impressive on the left of Newcastle’s back four, the hosts held firm.

Indeed, the Magpies almost claimed he lead with nine minutes remaining, with substitute Sean Longstaff sweeping a low shot just wide of the left-hand post.

City finished the stronger though, and Pope was forced to produce a brilliant save in stoppage time in order to keep out Bernardo Silva’s well-struck volley.