Man City Vs Newcastle — O’Reilly double keeps City within two of Arsenal
In the latest Premier League clash, man city vs newcastle ended 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium as Nico O’Reilly’s first-half double gave Manchester City a tense victory that moved them to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Man City Vs Newcastle: O’Reilly’s brace settles a tight contest
City’s 2-1 win was sealed by O’Reilly’s two first-half strikes, and the match finished 2-1 as Manchester City reeled off their 17th consecutive home league victory over Newcastle United. Lewis Hall had levelled for Newcastle with a 22nd-minute equaliser, but O’Reilly restored and extended the lead with a leaping header that made it 2-1 in the 27th minute.
How the goals unfolded
Fourteen minutes into the game Dan Burn ceded possession to Omar Marmoush; Marmoush ran forward and squeezed the ball left, where O’Reilly looked up and fired beyond Nick Pope, whose right fingertips merely brushed the finish. The equaliser came after Sandro Tonali’s second corner was dropped to Lewis Hall and his effort ricocheted off Rayan Aït-Nouri, beating Gianluigi Donnarumma to his left. O’Reilly’s second, a leaping header following a smart Antoine Semenyo feed to Erling Haaland and a deft right-foot cross, put City back ahead.
Midfield moments and tactical shifts
City moved to 56 points with a goal difference of 31, one fewer than Arsenal, courtesy of O’Reilly’s first-half double. O’Reilly operated in the second bank of two with Semenyo in Guardiola’s 4-2-2-2, ahead of Bernardo Silva and Rodri, a shape that repeatedly pierced Eddie Howe’s 4-2-3-1 and left Ramsey and Tonali swamped by City’s central four. Rúben Dias was booked for hauling down Anthony Gordon, then substituted at half-time for the quicker Abdukodir Khusanov, a change Pep Guardiola described as tactical.
Key moments that swung the game
Early in the contest Anthony Gordon broke along the left, turned Marc Guéhi in the area and shot low, with Donnarumma saving. A subsequent Newcastle counter forced two corners that led to the Hall equaliser. City’s lead lasted eight minutes; Newcastle’s parity lasted five. A Tonali free-kick was headed in by Dan Burn but the centre-back was ruled offside after being pushed into position by Dias, a detail Howe said he had not seen. Soon after the break Hall curved a free-kick wide and Semenyo shot off target following a rapid central burst.
Selection, travel and match markers
Despite a 5, 058-mile round trip, Howe stood down only Harvey Barnes from Wednesday’s 6-1 hammering of Qarabag, with Jacob Ramsey coming into the side. The Norwegian Erling Haaland supplied his seventh assist on the sequence that led to O’Reilly’s second, raising his fists to salute the goal. Towards the end Rayan Aït-Nouri scampered free and could have calmed the home crowd, but a miskick in front of Nick Pope’s goal allowed Newcastle’s keeper to collect.
Video highlights, extras and related items
Match material was accompanied by a set of video highlights and related clips with the following titles and lengths:
- O'Reilly scores twice as Man City beat Newcastle — 00: 07: 16
- Past Kane & chasing Mbappe - why Gordon is lethal in Europe — 00: 02: 14
- 'It's the ultimate role' - Carrick on Man Utd job — 00: 03: 16
- 'Shouldn't be in the game' - Rosenior wants stronger racism penalties — 00: 02: 12
- Williams and White react to fans' WSL hot takes — 00: 05: 36
- Boxing rivalry is one thing, humanity is another - Fury — 00: 00: 57
- Playing to be seen - how sport helps India's Siddi community from social isolation — 00: 03: 55
- Fury says latest comeback is 'to make boxing great again' — 00: 01: 27
- Officials need VAR after FA Cup mistakes - Rooney — 00: 02: 46
- How is Zubimendi helping Arsenal's title push? — 00: 03: 36
- Martinez on club v country & managing Belgium's 'golden generation' — 00: 03: 38
- To boo or not to boo? Pundits and fans have their say — 00: 02: 27
One page title presented the text "Just a moment... " and a copyright notice stated: Copyright © 2026. The is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
What this means next in the title race
Manchester City's victory leaves their title run-in finely poised and gives Pep Guardiola a strong chance of a seventh title in a decade, while Arsenal face a direct test: by early Sunday evening Mikel Arteta’s side will be down to 10 games and 30 points left to play for after they travel to Tottenham. If Arsenal emerge as victors from the north London derby their advantage would be five points with one match fewer to play; after this City victory over Newcastle it is a mere two, setting up a severe test of nerve at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Nico O’Reilly’s opener was Manchester City’s 500th Premier League goal at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola. They have netted 68 m
