Manchester City strengthened their Premier League title charge with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, courtesy of a first-half brace from Nico O’Reilly.
O’Reilly opened the scoring before Lewis Hall drew Newcastle level. The City midfielder quickly restored the hosts’ advantage, ensuring Pep Guardiola’s side claimed three crucial points despite not being at their fluent best.
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The win moves City to within two points of leaders Arsenal. The Gunners face Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s north London derby, but regardless of that outcome, City now have significant control over the title race.
They will hold a game in hand after this weekend and are scheduled to host Mikel Arteta’s side in April. Eleven wins from their remaining 11 matches would guarantee Guardiola a seventh Premier League crown.
Guardiola had insisted on Friday that he “couldn’t care less” about Arsenal’s recent stumble, but the shifting momentum is evident. While Arsenal have managed just two wins in their last seven league games, City are peaking at a decisive stage of the campaign.
The victory marked City’s fifth consecutive win in all competitions and extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.
Saturday’s contest was already the fourth meeting between the sides this season, with a fifth scheduled in next month’s FA Cup last-16 tie.
Newcastle’s struggles at the Etihad continued. They have now failed to win in 20 Premier League visits to City’s home ground and also suffered defeat there in this season’s League Cup semi-finals.
Eddie Howe’s side were also managing fatigue after a 5,000-mile round trip to Baku for their Champions League play-off first leg against Qarabag on Wednesday.
The Premier League adjusted the fixture to a later Saturday kick-off to ease their travel burden, but Newcastle were ultimately unable to halt City’s title surge.
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