Newcastle 2 – 1 Man City

Harvey Barnes scored twice as Newcastle beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday Night Football, with Pep Guardiola’s side missing the chance to close the gap on Arsenal to a point at the top of the Premier League.

It is the first time Eddie Howe has beaten his opposite number in the league, with the Magpies last beating Man City in the Premier League in January 2019.

The result did not go down well with Guardiola. There was a seemingly angry confrontation with the officials and an intense discussion with Guimaraes after full-time, while Joelinton was also unhappy. However, it was unclear who that was aimed towards.

For 63 minutes, it felt like neither side wanted to score. The first half was littered with chance after chance, but Barnes made the breakthrough. He was slipped through by Bruno Guimaraes before his finish beat Gianluigi Donnarumma through a packed box.

Man City responded almost immediately. It was a scrappy too – something we aren’t used to seeing from a Guardiola team – as Ruben Dias swept home from the second phase of a corner.

But two minutes later – and just seven after his first – Barnes scored again. Nick Woltemade’s header found Guimaraes at the back post. His own effort hit the underside of the bar, before landing to the goalscorer. It was then a close range finish from Barnes to put Newcastle back in front.

However, it took almost five minutes for the goal to be given, with two offsides being checked by VAR. However, neither Barnes or Guimaraes was deemed to be off, and the goal was given.

There were also questions over whether Donnarumma was fouled – he immediately went to the referee in the aftermath – but again, this was not given.

“IHe needs to be stronger in this particular moment,” Micah Richards said on Saturday Night Football. “You see Barnes on him, but the size of Donnarumma? It’s too easy. Not enough contact. Not a foul.”

The glut of goals came after a somehow goalless first half. The tone was set inside 26 seconds as Donnarumma was forced to save from Barnes, who inexplicably also poked wide from close range later on.

Phil Foden and Erling Haaland too saw chances missed and saved, while Woltemade saw no less than three efforts saved by the Man City goalkeeper.

There were also two penalty shouts from Man City. Phil Foden was challenged by Fabian Schar, but VAR deemed there was not enough contact. There was then a call against Malick Thiaw for handball, but again, nothing was given.

Man City miss the chance to go second and a point behind Arsenal, who play Tottenham on Super Sunday. They remain in third, a point behind Chelsea and four behind the Gunners.

For Newcastle, they are boosted into 14th place on 15 points, four above the relegation places.

The first half misses that have to be seen to be believed…

‘Man City didn’t have the answers to Newcastle’s power’

Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp: “This result gives Pep Guardiola a lot of problems. Everyone was talking about them as title challengers but we thought this was going to be a massive ask for them today.

They just didn’t have the answers to Newcastle’s power. That was a real Eddie Howe team performance… The crowd demanded a performance, and I thought they responded brilliantly today.

“Newcastle deserved it in the second half. The midfield battle was always going to be key and Eddie Howe’s side won that in the second 45 minutes.

“Joelinton, Guimaraes and Tonali were magnificent. They were too powerful for the Man City midfield. It’s a huge three points for Newcastle.”

Story of the match in stats…

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