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Jamie Jackson was at the Etihad tonight. Here’s his verdict. Thanks for reading this MBM.
Eddie Howe’s turn. “We were right in the game … we gave everyting … disappointing with the two goals we conceded … they were out of context with the general performance which was really strong defensively … chased the game well in the second half … always in it until the very end … credit to the players … we went deep and hard … we kept going and believing.”
Pep Guardiola speaks to TNT Sports. “Massive … Newcastle is incredible … awesome … physicality … speed … really tough but [we] were unbelievable … one step at a time … 70 percent of our players have not played in that situation [a title run-in] and I don’t play … we have to live it … we know every game until the end of the season will be like this … today we had the best crowd of the year … I am really proud to be manager … now is rest and we prepare for Leeds … since Saudi Arabia took over [Newcastle] and Eddie Howe is there, the way they play is unbelievable … that is why I’m really pleased for the way we played today.”
Marc Guehi – clearly content with life at his new club – arrives for a chat with TNT. “These games are always difficult … Newcastle are such a difficult team to play against … their intensity and endeavour … quality on the ball … a really good win today … I won’t say a statement win but it puts us in a really good position moving forward … what a top club this place is … everyone has been so welcoming … I’ve had to adapt and change my game completely … more thought process than physical … thinking a lot … when to pass the ball … committing players … so many different aspects … I am learning on the job … I’ve had a lot of help … it’s fantastic … how you see [Pep Guardiola] on the television is how he is in real life … enthusiastic, passionate, intense, a winner … he wants to win but wants to win his way … I’m glad I have the opportunity to be here!”
Game Recognising Game extra! Anthony Gordon and his England team-mate Marc Guehi deep in conversation, swapping war stories. Clear respect for each other after a highly entertaining battle. Gordon throws an arm around his pal’s shoulder and pats congratulations before disappearing down the tunnel. Another local hero warbles a celebratory song over the PA: “You could wait for a lifetime / To spend your days in the sunshine!” It’s hosing down in Manchester, of course.
Manchester City’s two-goal hero Nico O’Reilly, the player of the match, speaks to TNT. “I’m over the moon with tonight … the win was the most important thing … trying to close the gap and apply as much pressure as possible … also very happy with the two goals … it’s a dream of mine to win something like [the Premier League] … there are a lot of games to go … take each game as it comes … I’m enjoying every moment … I’ll take it all in … we always believe we can win games … we just need to keep going.”
Manchester City sparkled in attack during the first half; they required plenty of defensive grit in the second. Newcastle’s long losing run at the Etihad goes on – that’s now 17 on the bounce in this particular Premier League fixture – but they did themselves proud here tonight. They pushed Manchester City all the way. Both sets of players embrace at the end, game recognising game. This determined win will give Pep Guardiola’s side great heart as they attempt to chase down Arsenal. Over to Mikel Arteta’s side tomorrow!
Updated at 17.01 EST
FULL TIME: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Manchester City hang on for three precious points! Newcastle made them fight for them.
Manchester City’s keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates with goalscorer Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland after the match. Photograph: Scott Heppell/ReutersShare
Updated at 17.08 EST
90 min +5: From the corner, some bedlam in the City box! But Donnarumma does just enough to divert clear under extreme pressure. That should be that.
Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma gets the ball away from Newcastle United’s keeper Nick Pope. Photograph: Scott Heppell/ReutersShare
Updated at 17.11 EST
90 min +4: Haaland blazes down the right wing and storms inside. He can’t get a shot away, Thiaw sticking to him like glue. Newcastle go up the other end. A long ball headed down. Barnes, on the edge of the D, sweeps towards the bottom left. Donnarumma fingertips around the post! Pope to come up for the corner!
90 min +3: On TNT Sports, the co-commentator Glenn Hoddle names Manchester City’s two-goal hero Nico O’Reilly as his player of the match.
90 min +2: Tonali goes down for a few seconds. So expect the match to click past the 90+4 mark.
90 min +1: Haaland tries to poke past Pope, but the keeper blocks. Then City come again, and Foden’s low drive is kicked away by Pope. City so close to wrapping up the win (x2)!
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is thwarted by Newcastle United’s keeper Nick Pope. Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images/ReutersShare
Updated at 17.13 EST
90 min: Osula tries to close down Donnarumma. The keeper calmly wedges over the in-rushing striker’s head. City counter, and Cherki should free Foden into the box down the right, but miscues the pass. There will be four additional minutes, and nobody in the City of Manchester Stadium considers this over yet.
89 min: Rodri is yanked back, arm around neck, by Joelinton, who is booked. And the clock ticks on. The home fans celebrate that … well, not quite like a goal. But it’s a loud cheer nonetheless. A release of tension.
88 min: Murphy has the opportunity to release Osula down the middle … and pings the perfect defence-splitting pass. Only problem is, Osula had given up on the move and wasn’t looking! So the chance goes a-begging.
87 min: Semenyo is replaced by Foden.
86 min: Cherki threatens to make good ground down the left, but is grappled to the floor by Joelinton. There wasn’t a whole lot in that, Cherki making the most of it. But needs must during the title run-in, huh.
84 min: “Come on City!” The home fans trying to heave their heroes over the line.
82 min: A Newcastle free kick on halfway. Murphy curls it into the mixer. It’s inviting, but Burn, lunging in at the far stick, can’t connect, eight yards out. City aren’t exactly hanging on, but Newcastle are coming at them. Everyone in sky blue extremely nervous.
Newcastle United’s Dan Burn stretches, but fails, to get on the end of a cross. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAShare
Updated at 17.04 EST
80 min: Guehi, from the left-back position, rolls a pass infield for Cherki, who plays a first-time sweep towards Ait-Nouri on the left touchline. He’s free! Haaland in the middle, with only Burn in between. Burn does well to block the option for a pass, encouraging Ait-Nouri to shoot instead. Ait-Nouri loses control of the ball, which clanks off his toe and dribbles towards the bottom left. Pope claims. Had Ait-Nouri kept his head, City were wrapping up their win.
78 min: Newcastle make another double change. Elanga and Gordon are replaced by Osula and Jacob Murphy.
Updated at 16.45 EST
77 min: Joelinton takes a short-backlift snapshot from the middle of a melee near the City D. It flies wide of the top-left corner, but not by much. Decent improvisational skills.
Joelinton of Newcastle United shoots wide whilst under pressure from Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty ImagesShare
Updated at 16.51 EST
75 min: Hall pulls it back for Trippier, whose poor cross is claimed by Donnarumma. Still, Newcastle are giving this a proper go, and the home fans are jittery. The home team are jittery.
74 min: Elanga’s corner fails to beat the first man. Not the smartest decision to leave him on in retrospect. But Newcastle come again, Gordon battling with Haaland, now acting as an extra defender, down the right. Another corner is won. Hall to take this one.
73 min: Elanga crosses from the right. Ait-Nouri deflects it behind for a corner. Newcastle are preparing to replace Elanga with Jacob Murphy but he’s told to stay on for the set piece.
72 min: Haaland bulldozes his way down the right and stomps infield, before unleashin a low drive that … hits the first defender.
71 min: The nerves at the Etihad are palpable. The start of the run-in! Everyone loves it!
69 min: Really scrappy. O’Reilly can’t sort his feet out to get a shot away, just inside the Newcastle box. Then the visitors counter, and Elanga has the opportunity to release Gordon down the middle, but delays the pass and a big chance is gone.
68 min: Some pinball in the City box. Donnarumma slaps the ball half-clear. Barnes swings it back in from the left. Haaland sends a clearing header miles upfield. This is getting scrappy.
Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma half-clears the ball as he’s put under pressure by Newcastle United’s Malick Thiaw. Photograph: Scott Heppell/ReutersShare
Updated at 16.42 EST
67 min: Cherki nibbles at Hall in the centre circle. Then Nunes kicks the ball away. Newcastle point this out to the referee, with some feeling, but the City man gets away with it.
65 min: Ait-Nouri barrels down the left, draws Trippier, and goes over the defender’s leg. Another booking. Silva swings the free kick in low. Haaland sweeps harmlessly wide left, and wanders off looking glum. City haven’t been the same proposition in attack since the break. Shades of Arsenal at Wolves?