Manchester City took another big step in the Premier League title race with a hard-fought 2–1 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on February 21, 2026, closing the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points.
The night belonged to 20 year old Nico O’Reilly, who announced himself on the big stage with a stunning first-half brace. His goals in the 14th and 27th minutes put City firmly in control early on, even though Lewis Hall pulled one back for Newcastle to set up a tense finish.
Despite Newcastle matching City for shots on target, Pep Guardiola’s side held their nerve to claim three crucial points.
While O’Reilly grabbed the headlines, Erling Haaland’s all-round performance also drew praise from fans. One supporter, Quantfooty, wrote:
“Haaland might not have scored tonight, but wow, his work rate, especially defensively, was truly commendable. He gave absolutely everything. Well done lads!”
Others were delighted to see O’Reilly stepping up. Miraculous earth posted:
“Nico O’Reilly has started to shine. Keep going kid.”
However, not all reactions were glowing. Some supporters questioned Guardiola’s rotation choices, with mancity1894 complaining:
“Why is Pep so afraid of making changes? Overusing players like Silva, O’Reilly, Rodri etc.”
The victory comes at a crucial time for City, especially with Arsenal dropping points in their recent draw against Wolves. Analysts and reports from Sky Sports suggest City’s core of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri the so called “Big Three” remain Arsenal’s biggest threat as the title race heats up.
However, the win also highlights the contrast in City’s form across competitions. Softfootball reported that Earlier in the year, their Champions League hopes took a major hit with a shock 3–1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt in Norway, where Rodri’s red card left them exposed in one of the biggest European upsets of the season.
For now, though, the focus is firmly on the league. With momentum building and young talents like O’Reilly stepping up alongside their established stars, Manchester City are once again applying serious pressure at the top and Arsenal can feel them breathing down their necks.
