Man City Beat Newcastle to Increase Pressure on Arsenal

At a glance

• Nico O’Reilly’s powerful drive puts Manchester City in front after 14 minutes
• Lewis Hall’s deflected shot draws Newcastle level in the 22nd minute
• O’Reilly heads his and City’s second five minutes later to restore lead
• PLAYER RATER

Manchester City moved to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a tense victory against Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium.

The Gunners opened the door to City by squandering a two-goal lead against doomed Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek – but Newcastle made Pep Guardiola’s side fight all the way for a vital three points.

Nico O’Reilly’s two first-half goals, either side of Lewis Hall’s equaliser, set the platform for City’s victory, putting pressure on Arsenal before Sunday’s north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur (16:30 GMT).

Newcastle, however, made light of their 5,000-mile round trip to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag in a Champions League play-off, giving City plenty of anxiety in the second half before the win was secured.

City, knowing victory would push them on to Arsenal’s shoulder, made a predictably fast start and went ahead in the 14th minute, O’Reilly’s shot carrying too much power for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, who should have done better having got a hand to the effort.

Newcastle were posing threats of their own and were quickly level, Hall’s shot deflecting past Gianluigi Donnarumma off Rayan Ait-Nouri after City failed to clear a corner.

City were briefly set back, but went ahead again after 27 minutes when Antoine Semenyo showed more desire than Nick Woltemade to play in Erling Haaland, who provided a perfect cross for O’Reilly to head home at the far post.

Nerves were frayed inside the Etihad in the closing stages, and it needed a huge save by Donnarumma from Harvey Barnes in the dying seconds before City could finally celebrate.Media caption,

Why versatility makes Man City’s O’Reilly ‘remarkable’ – Richards

Manchester City analysis: Nervous but job done

Media caption,

This is level we have to play at for rest of season – Guardiola

Manchester City’s celebrations at the final whistle were tinged with relief as well as elation after a stressful night at Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola has rebuilt much of his all-conquering City side that won a historic four consecutive Premier League titles, so questions remain about whether they can put together the sort of unstoppable run that became the trademark of their predecessors.

On this evidence, it may not be so straightforward, but the bottom line is that City have a winning momentum that is ominous for Arsenal as they start to show signs of nerves.

The atmosphere inside the Etihad was nailbiting in the closing stages as City failed to take the chances they created, while Newcastle posed a serious threat until the end.

And there were two huge contributions from City’s players that will have delighted Guardiola, who fist-pumped to all sides of the stadium as he went on a lap of appreciation at the end.

O’Reilly showed his superb versatility playing in a roving role behind City’s attackers, scoring two goals and popping up to have an impact all over the pitch.

He may be in England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s thoughts as a left-back for this summer’s World Cup, but this outstanding display showed he has other strings to his bow.

And once more keeper Donnarumma popped up with a match-winning save in stoppage time, as he did from Alex Mac Allister in the vital win at Liverpool.

The Italian may occasionally look uncertain under the high ball, but his incredible wingspan allowed him to stretch low to his right to turn away Barnes’ goalbound shot with just seconds left.

It sealed victory and keeps City right on track behind Arsenal.

Newcastle analysis: Howe can be satisfied despite defeat

Media caption,

Howe proud after Newcastle went ‘toe-to-toe’ with Manchester City

Newcastle demonstrated outstanding powers of recovery to show such energy and work-rate after the lengthy Champions League journey to Azerbaijan – and left Manchester nursing a sense of injustice that they did not earn at least a point.

It took that magnificent save from Donnarumma to stop Barnes in that dramatic finale, while Newcastle were also frustrated after they felt Dan Burn had been pushed into an offside position by Ruben Dias when his first-half header was ruled out.

Newcastle’s display will have left manager Eddie Howe satisfied despite what is now a traditional loss against City, who are unbeaten in 21 Premier League home games against the Magpies, winning the past 17.

Anthony Gordon’s pace troubled City throughout, and Newcastle will feel they might have secured a point for their efforts.

What’s next for these teams?

Manchester City will face Leeds United at Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday, 28 February (17:30 GMT).

Newcastle are back in Champions League action when they host Qarabag in their play-off second leg at St James’ Park on Tuesday, 24 February (20:00). Howe’s side hold a 6-1 lead from the first leg.

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