Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City battled to a 2-1 victory as they renewed acquaintances with Newcastle, in the fourth of what will be at least five meetings between the two sides this season.

In an enthralling and open first-half, the Blues played with fire at times against Newcastle’s countering speed and conceded a deflected Lewis Hall strike, but that was sandwiched by two magnificent Nico O’Reilly goals.

The second period was more of a war of attrition in which the Magpies established a foothold, but City eventually saw it out after a nail-biting conclusion to collect what could be three vital points in their ongoing Premier League title race.

The hosts haven’t tasted action since last weekend’s FA Cup victory over Salford City, in stark contrast to the visitors’ midweek exertions in their Champions League play-off in Azerbaijan. It was no surprise to see City start the livelier of the teams then, winning a series of early corners and applying the pressure.

That endeavour was rewarded after 15 minutes as Erling Haaland battled to win the ball and free Omar Marmoush to powerfully break away, with the latter feeding O’Reilly, who allowed Haaland to run beyond him as a dummy before lashing the ball into the bottom corner to score in consecutive league games.

Newcastle’s threat always looked like being on the break and they went close to equalising within a minute of going behind when Nick Woltemade put Anthony Gordon in behind, the England international getting the better of Marc Guehi but seeing Gianluigi Donnarumma beat his shot away.

Another counter-attack gave the Magpies a corner though and this time they did level; Matheus Nunes couldn’t adequately clear his lines from the initial delivery, with the ball dropping for Hall to shoot in via a deflection off of Rayan Ait-Nouri.

But O’Reilly wasn’t to be stopped. Antoine Semenyo smartly worked the ball to Haaland in a wide area, and the striker, so often the recipient of clipped crosses to the back post, delivered one of his own for the scorer of City’s first goal to add his second with a pinpoint header into the far corner.

A thrilling first-half nearly had a fourth goal right at the end when Newcastle thought they found a second equaliser – Dan Burn got to Sandro Tonali’s whipped delivery before Donnarumma and headed into the empty net, but a nudge from Ruben Dias had forced the defender into a marginally offside position.

Semenyo, along with Haaland and Marmoush, was finding a lot of joy in transition and the January signing threatened to produce a goal from nothing at the start of the second half, turning in the centre circle and carrying right to the edge of the Newcastle box only to blaze a left-footed shot over the bar. His strike partners were unimpressed.

City continued to carve out chances as the second-half wore on, but Newcastle established control of the game for the majority of the 45 minutes, making it very nervy in the Etihad – a Blue breakaway allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri into the opposing penalty area, but just as he seemed set to tee up Haaland, the Algerian stumbled over the ball.

The game ticked into added time and the tension kept racking up, Haaland and Phil Foden seeing shots from inside the area saved by Nick Pope as City just couldn’t put the game to bed. A last-minute Harvey Barnes strike was sensationally tipped away by Donnarumma.

But the final whistle eventually blew for three massive points – here’s how we rated the players in City’s rollercoaster victory over Newcastle United!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7.5

The deflection on the goal left him with no chance, and he produced a few sharp saves to keep Newcastle out otherwise, notably in the last minute from Barnes. It seemed a conscious choice from Pep Guardiola to allow the madness to prevail in the game, so some wayward long kicks from the Italian aren’t solely attributable to him.

Matheus Nunes – 7

Such is the consistency he’s displayed this season, it was a shock to see him err in failing to clear prior to Newcastle’s goal. Misplaced a pass or two but was generally his all-action and imposing self.

Ruben Dias – 5.5

Played a few brave balls to split the lines. Didn’t fancy his foot race with Gordon one bit though, and being on a yellow and still not long into his return from injury, was protected at half-time.

Marc Guehi – 7

Seemed caught in two minds at times with the ball, perhaps put off by the vast spaces being left to play into by both teams. Aside from one early roasting at the hands of the pacey Gordon, did his defending well.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – 8

His advanced positions have been a feature of City’s attack lately, but it was his work going the other way which stood out tonight. Wasn’t fazed by the supreme speed of Newcastle’s forwards, shutting down near enough every one-on-one duel he contested.

Rodri – 8

Won’t have appreciated the openness of the game and therefore all the ground that needed covering as he continues his injury rehabilitation, but he didn’t let it show at all. Was everywhere for his side and was just fantastic in possession.

Bernardo Silva – 7.5

Tested his luck with a few quick-fire fouls which put his position in the game in doubt, but it’s a mark of his importance to this side that Guardiola never gave thought to hooking his captain. Covered every blade of grass and made all the right decisions to see the game out for his team.

Nico O’Reilly – 9 (POTM)

The boy wonder. His goals won City the game, and his all-round midfield work went a long way to protecting the advantage too.

Antoine Semenyo – 6.5

Picked up some really good positions drifting right across the frontline. Was at times wasteful with the ball and in front of goal though, allowing Newcastle breaks in what was a game of transitions.

Erling Haaland – 8.5

It’s always a joy to see him in the rare game in which opponents allow him play in transition and proverbially let his hair down. Things didn’t fall his way in the box but he was at his best in the build-up, winning headers, linking fabulously with his team-mates and dropping back to do his defensive duties.

Omar Marmoush – 7

As is his style, was more threatening with his running off the ball than with what he produced in possession. Was kept out of it for stretches as a result but provided the assist for O’Reilly’s first goal in one of several good moments for the Egyptian in transition, albeit with some chances going begging.

Substitutes

Abdukodir Khusanov – 7.5

Immediately seemed better-suited to dealing with Newcastle’s counters with his physical gifts than Dias. Covered in behind magnificently.

Rayan Cherki – 7

Just what was needed when he came on. Made consistently strong decisions, calming things down or speeding them up depending on what the game required.

Phil Foden – N/A