Manchester City closed the title gap to two points with a Nico O’Reilly-fueled 2-1 win over familiar foes Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
MORE — Pep Guardiola praises Newcastle, Nico O’Reilly
City’s win puts them two points back of Arsenal, who play Sunday against Spurs, with the same amount of games played as of post time.
Newcastle’s 36 points remain 10th, four off of seventh-place Brentford and nine back of fifth-place Manchester United.
WATCH — Manchester City v Newcastle full match replay
Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland set up City’s goals while Jacob Ramsey assisted Lewis Hall’s marker as all of the match’s goals came in the first half.
Nico O’Reilly continues to come of age as City chase four trophies
It’s still a month until Nico O’Reilly is 21 years old, and he’s playing with the field vision of an in-his-prime genius. The 6-foot-4 midfielder has been freed of his left back duties by the return of Rayan Ait-Nouri, and he’s consistently handing in star-level 90-minute runs a bit further up the field. O’Reilly’s movement defies his size, his chance creation is solid, and his shot accuracy is striker level. Rodri allows Guardiola to play in a sort of 4-1-3-2 and O’Reilly and Semenyo are two physical forces that allow Bernardo Silva to drift into pockets of midfield space. City are also showing superior commitment to their goals as Haaland continues to pitch in defending his own box. There’s still a weakness at right back against top attacks — could John Stones or Abdukodir Khusanov move over there? — but health-pending, City can compete on all fronts even if Josko Gvardiol does not return.
What’s next?
Man City go to Leeds at 12:30pm ET Saturday, while Newcastle face another two-match week: home to Qarabag in the second leg of their Champions League playoff on Tuesday, then home to Everton at 10am Saturday.
Manchester City vs Newcastle final score: 2-1
Nico O’Reilly 14', 27', Lewis Hall 22'
Newcastle make final moves
Elanga and Gordon leave the game for Jacob Murphy and William Osula in the 78th minute.
City threatening a third
Haaland with a brilliant dribble on the left to shake free of Tonali, then it’s two passes to a low shot from Semenyo that is saved by a stooping Pope.
Newcastle change two
Harvey Barnes and Joelinton enter the fold for Joe Willock and Nick Woltemade, who had been quiet since the early goings.
City make another tweak
Guardiola wants to put this game outside the reach of one Newcastle moment of magic, and he’s removing Marmoush for Rayan Cherki in the 58th minute.
Halftime sub
Abdukodir Khusanov replaces the cautioned Ruben Dias at the break.
Halftime — Man City 2-1 Newcastle
Newcastle hung in there and had a Dan Burn goal ruled out for offside, so there’s danger left in this one.
How long until the Magpies wear down, though? They were in Azerbaijan at midweek and are without several big players due to injury.
Nico O’Reilly goal — Man City 2-1 Newcastle
Kieran Trippier is nowhere near Erling Haaland’s picture-perfect cross to the back post.
Lewis Hall goal — Man City 1-1 Newcastle
Out of nothing!
Jacob Ramsey find a loose ball off a set piece and lays it back to Lewis Hall, who has a strong left peg and tries his luck.
The ball takes a turn off Rayan Ait-Nouri and has own goal potential but for now it’s Hall on the scoresheet!
Nico O’Reilly goal — Man City 1-0 Newcastle
The beat goes on for Man City against Newcastle.
The Magpies lose a long aerial from Nick Pope and City zip down the field.
Omar Marmoush sets up Nico O’Reilly, and Pope is respecting Erling Haaland’s overlapping run as he only gets a paw to the youngster’s left-footed shot.
Manchester City lineup
Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Silva, O’Reilly, Semenyo, Marmoush, Haaland
Newcastle United lineup
Pope, Hall, Burn, Thiaw, Trippier, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock, Elanga, Woltemade, Gordon
Manchester City vs Newcastle preview
Pep Guardiola’s men are five points back of table-topping Arsenal and have played one fewer game than their rivals after the Gunners drew Wolves 2-2 at midweek.
Now they’re tasked with meeting Newcastle for the fourth of at least five meetings this year, having lost to the Magpies in the league and beaten them decisively over a pair of League Cup semifinal ties. The two rivals will tangle in the FA Cup next month.
WATCH — Manchester City v Newcastle
Newcastle are on an uptick in form but also dealing with their return from a massive away day at Qarabag in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie with the Azerbaijani side.
Can they kick off the time zones and make it four-straight wins across all competitions after beating Spurs in the PL, Aston Villa in the FA Cup, and Qarabag in the UCL?
Manchester City team news, focus
OUT: Jeremy Doku (calf), Josko Gvardiol (ankle), Mateo Kovacic (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Erling Haaland (knee), Max Alleyne (knock)
Newcastle United team news, focus
OUT: Lewis Miley (knee), Bruno Guimaraes (ankle), Valentino Livramento (thigh), Fabian Schar (ankle), Emil Krafth (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Yoane Wissa (training), Sven Botman (back)
Manchester City vs Newcastle prediction
How very rare for Man City to be waiting a busy rival’s visit from far away, and Newcastle are also without talisman Bruno Guimaraes. The Magpies can deliver a positive result but there’s too much going against them to forecast such a thing. Manchester City 3-1 Newcastle United.
How to watch Manchester City vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Saturday
Venue: The Etihad Stadium — Manchester
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
