Reigning champions Manchester City were held to a second straight Premier League draw after Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon earned a point for the home team in a heated game on Saturday.

City, who drew with title rivals Arsenal last weekend, remain provisional leaders with 14 points from six games and await Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal to play their games this weekend. Newcastle are fifth with 11 points.

In a heated affair that saw eight yellow cards handed out, City struggled to maintain the pace with key midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri missing out injured.

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland, the league’s top goalscorer, failed to find the net for the first time this season as Newcastle’s defense restricted the striker to just one shot on target.

“It was a good performance, it showed that we played bravely in our own way. It was two teams going straight at each other for probably 70 minutes,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the BBC.

“In the last 20 minutes they were stronger than us and we had to defend really well to keep the point… I was really happy with how we were without the ball and how we attacked the game.”

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Newcastle, meanwhile, attempted a counter-attack, with winger Gordon taking the lead in the absence of the injured Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

City took the lead in the 35th minute when winger Jack Grealish saw Josko Gvardiol running into the box and, after receiving the ball, the full-back cleverly turned defender Dan Burn around before hitting the bottom corner.

But Newcastle struck back from the penalty spot in the 58th minute when City goalkeeper Ederson tripped Gordon while reaching for the ball as the England striker rounded him.

Ederson was booked and Gordon did his best to send the Brazil international the wrong way, allowing him to score his second goal of the season and level the game at 1-1.

“I said he was up to the role. The highlight for me today was his energy and his running,” Howe said.

“He ran the line really well and was really happy to score his goal. Well deserved.”

Newcastle were forced to concede another penalty when Joelinton went down in the box under pressure from Kyle Walker, but referee Jarred Gillett dismissed the home side’s appeals.

Bernardo Silva almost scored the winner for City in second-half stoppage time when he turned in the penalty area and fired a volley towards goal, but goalkeeper Nick Pope reacted well and parried it away as both teams shared the spoils.

“We made bad decisions at the last moment when we tried to make it 2-0. It’s always so difficult, their physicality, they defend so deep, they defend so well,” said City boss Pep Guardiola.

“This has been happening lately. We had chances (to win) but Pope was brilliant in two or three saves. But yes, we will get the point.”