City move to within two points of top spot with fine Newcastle win

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Manchester City F.C.

·21 Februari 2026

City move to within two points of top spot with fine Newcastle win

Nico O'Reilly scored two goals as City closed the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table to just two points with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium.

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In a highly entertaining game on what felt like a seismic evening in terms of this season’s title race, O’Reilly bagged two goals in the first-half, either side of a deflected equaliser from Lewis Hall.

And City held firm in a tense second-half, showing steel and determination to seal a vital three points.

The result extends our winning home record against Newcastle in the Premier League to a remarkable 17 games.

And it means league leaders Arsenal face London rivals Tottenham tomorrow evening knowing City are now right behind them.

Game in 250 words

City started the game superbly and deservedly took the lead after 14 minutes when Nico O’Reilly fired a left-foot strike past Nick Pope after fine work from Omar Marmoush.

It was clear in the early stages City meant business, with the chance to move just two points behind leaders Arsenal within grasp.

But Newcastle are a team full of quality and they began carving out chances of their own. Anthony Gordon, fresh from scoring four goals in Newcastle’s 6-1 win over Qarabag in the Champions League play-off first leg in Baku on Wednesday, had an effort saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, before the City keeper tipped over rom Malick Thiaw’s header.

And from the resulting corner, Newcastle equalised when Lews Hall’s effort from 20 yards out deflected off Rayan Ait-Nouri and flew past Donnarumma.

City did not wilt, though. We continued to play incisive, high-intensity football and went back in front when O’Reilly bagged his second – this time expertly heading home from Erling Haaland’s beautiful cross into the box.

It was a breathless, high-quality game between two sides desperate to win.

The second-half saw both sides creating plenty of openings, with City largely playing on the counter.

Antoine Semenyo twice went close to extending City’s lead - and but for a lack of quality with the final pass, Newcastle could quite easily have equalised in what was a tense second period.

Haaland and substitute Phil Foden both brought saves from Pope in the closing stages as City held on to win one of the most absorbing contests we have seen at the Etihad this season.

TEAMS

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias (Khusanov 46’), Guéhi, Ait-Nouri, Rodrigo, Bernardo (C), O’Reilly, Semenyo (Foden 87’), Marmoush (Cherki 58’), Haaland

Unused subs: Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Nico, Savinho, Lewis

Newcastle United XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Willock (Barnes 60’), Ramsey, Elanga (Murphy 78’), Gordon (Osula 78’), Woltemade (Joelinton 60’)

Unused subs: Ruddy, Ramsdale, J.Murphy, A, Shahar, Neave

Attendance: 52,187

Player of the Match

Nico O’Reilly.

There have been plenty of examples of Manchester City’s Academy producing top-quality players in recent seasons, but Nico O’Reilly is perhaps the finest.

He is an exceptional player, who is getting more accomplished each week. Whether at left-back or, like here today, in central midfielder, he brings quality to everything he does.

He’s tall, strong, quick, intelligent, versatile and technically brilliant. It’s a fantastic combination.

Two goals and a fine all-round display today mean he was a clear Man of the Match this evening.

Surely, a regular England place beckons as we head towards the World Cup this summer.

A special mention, too, for Erling Haaland, whose work rate, heart and passion were big reasons City won this match.

Stat Zone

Nico O’Reilly’s first goal this evening was the 500th home Premier League goal City have scored since the start of the start of the 2016-17 season – that’s 67 more than next best Liverpool, who have hit 433 in the same period!

And it’s now 17 home Premier League wins in a row over Newcastle - a quite remarkable record.

In English top-flight history, only Everton have had a longer winning home run against an opponent (22 vs Fulham between 1961 and 2018).

Guardiola reaction

“Massive [result]. It’s an incredible team Newcastle - awesome physicality and speed. It was really tough but the team was top.

“70 percent of the players don’t know this situation [a Premier League title race]. We have to live it.

“We have five games at home and today we had the best crowd of the year. I am proud to be manager of this club.

“Now we rest three days, which we need, and then prepare for Leeds.”

O’Reilly reaction

“I’m over the moon with tonight. The win was the most important thing 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 this. There’s still a lot of games to go. We need to take each game as it comes. I’m enjoying every moment and taking it all in.”

What it means

It’s been a fine day for Manchester City fans.

It means we are now just two points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who face Tottenham away tomorrow - and with Aston Villa dropping points earlier when they drew at home to Leed United, there is now a five-point gap between City in second and Unai Emery’s side in third.

What’s next?

City head into a second-successive week without a midweek game. Our next assignment sees us travel to Leeds United next Saturday for a 17:30 (UK) kick-off.