Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle: O’Reilly 14, 27; Lewis Hall 22
After Arsenal delivered a lovely gift in midweek, Manchester City seized it with both hands. As Nico O’Reilly’s second goal on minute 27 went in Pep Guardiola turned and punched the air. City are now two points behind Arsenal and are yet to play the Gunners at the Etihad this season.
Win that game and produce at least the same performances as Arsenal elsewhere and Guardiola will be crowned with his seventh Premier League title at Mikel Arteta’s expense.
Newcastle have been out of shape this season but the Gunners would have been counting on them to help rectify their mistakes after surrendering a two-goal lead to draw against Wolves. Not that they would have had much hope. The Toon have faced City four times now this season. They won the first at St James’ Park but have lost every other game since.
They lost in both legs of the Carabao Cup, and here at the Etihad O’Reilly’s stunning opener blasted City into the lead. He was set up by Omar Marmoush, who was equally dangerous on the night, hitting twice from range and coming very close.
Despite their 6-1 victory over Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday, in the English top-flight Newcastle still look every bit like a middle table team without their inspiring captain Bruno Guimaraes, still out with injury. They miss his leadership, and in his absence Sandro Tonali toiled in midfield.
Nevertheless, joy for the Magpies and for Arsenal when Newcastle fired back just eight minutes after O’Reily’s opener, through Lewis Hall, who saw a corner kick taken by Tonali knocked down to him by a City defender. He unloaded and the ball beat Gianluigi Donnarumma to his left.
But O’Reilly was in full flow. After Antoine Semenyo darted around the right half space and put Erling Haaland through, the Norwegian hit a cross first time, where O’Reilly met it in the box to head home. Then there was that Guardiola celebration.
Battling to a big three points! 💪🩵
🤝 @okx | #StatWrap pic.twitter.com/mFZ6Ve8orH
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 21, 2026
Newcastle thought they had levelled again after Dan Burn’s delicious header beat Donnarumma, but the towering centre-back had been inches offside when the freekick was taken.
The visitors were much more positive in the second half, at a time forcing City to remain in their half, unable to get out. But chances flowed for both sides still. Semenyo was disappointing and Phil Foden’s effort was saved by Nick Pope. Then Newcastle were streaming forward in stoppage time, a draw still very much on the cards, but City held firm to continue their title march.
