Newcastle United made it six home wins in a row at St James’ Park after a spirited 2–1 victory over Manchester City, denying Pep Guardiola’s side the chance to close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.
It was one of those nights on Tyneside where no one could really tell how the outcome of the game would be, as both sides created chances and also wasted chances.
Even though Softfootball expected a low-scoring game in the pre-match. Manchester City was expected to win; however, football favours the brave and clinical, and Newcastle was both.
They uploaded a video of the team celebrating in the tunnel in a post made via their official X account.
Watch the video below:
Softfootball understands that City needed to win after Chelsea moved to second position following their 2-nil victory over Burnley. City dominated possession for most of the first half as they usually do, but Newcastle looked strangely comfortable soaking up pressure and waiting for the right moment to spring forward.
Jacob Murphy created the first big moment when his curling cross found Nick Woltemade, but the German directed his header straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma, who reacted sharply.
Jérémy Doku was City’s main spark, constantly slipping passes into dangerous areas and causing Newcastle’s back line all kinds of stress. Phil Foden looked set to capitalise until Fabian Schär threw himself into a desperate, slightly wild challenge to block the shot.
Newcastle should probably have taken the lead around the 30-minute mark, only for Harvey Barnes to somehow miss a tap-in at the far post from another Murphy delivery.
To be fair, the replay hinted he might’ve been offside anyway, but the miss still drew groans around the stadium. City almost punished it just before the break when Foden fired wide after a lovely exchange with Rayan Cherki sliced Newcastle open.
The second half started quieter, but that didn’t last long. On 61 minutes, Newcastle struck first. Bruno Guimarães slid a clever pass to Barnes at the edge of the box, and this time the winger found the bottom corner with calm precision.
But as Newcastle fans know too well, nothing comes easy. Only five minutes later, Rúben Dias bundled in an equaliser after a loose ball pinballed around the area.
Before City could even settle, the hosts were ahead again. Guimarães’ header crashed off the bar, Barnes reacted quickest, and he poked the ball home for his second of the night. After what felt like an eternity of a VAR check, the goal stood.
City threw everything forward after that, hoarding possession and pushing Newcastle deep, but Eddie Howe’s defence didn’t crack. The Magpies held on for a gritty three points that lift them to 14th and give Howe his first Premier League win against Manchester City.
For Guardiola’s men, the result keeps them stuck in third place, and their away form continues to look shaky, just two wins from six league trips this season.
