Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United, Premier League Highlights: O'Reilly Bags Brace As Cityzens Close Gap On Arsenal

This officially marks the 4th meeting between the Cityzens and the Magpies across domestic competitions in the on-going 2025-26 season. Newcastle had won the reverse fixture in Premier League back in November, but Manchester City later won by 5-1 on aggregate in a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final earlier this month.

The signs are solid and similar to how Mikel Arteta's Arsenal had let the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Premier League title slip away despite sitting at the top of table for most parts of the season.

There is a sense of Deja Vu even more after Manchester City showcased they might be hitting top form in the final 3 months of the season. City haven't lost a single game in their last 7 outings across all competitions.

Whereas Arsenal have dropped have dropped crucial points in their last two Premier League matches against Brentford (1-1) and Wolves (2-2). The Gunners have to refrain from losing momentum, otherwise City are ready to hunt them down and reclaim the PL title.

Manchester City: Donnarumma (GK), Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Silva, Semenyo, O'Reilly, Haaland and Marmous

Newcastle United: Pope (GK), Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Ramsey, Tonali, Willock, Elanga, Woltemade and Gordon

This is what a Newcastle United fan had to say ahead of the match.

"A draw would be a good result tonight - not only because of our dire record at the Etihad, but because City are in menacing form. All depends on how we defend, really - because we can definitely cause them issues on the break. I’ll go with an optimistic 2-2!" - a fan wrote on X.

Won: 16

Drawn: 0

Lost: 0

Goals scored: 53

Goals conceded: 7

The Etihad Stadium is buzzing as we get underway for the first-half. City, in their tradition sky blue colours, start from left to right. Newcastle, in their away threads, start from right to left.

Positive start from the Cityzens as they get a corner from a dangerous cross in Rayan Ait-Nouri. City are pressing forward aggressively in the opening minutes.

This is the Manchester City we are used to seeing - reactive, alert, always on the press and always on the mood to attack and punish oppositions. Antoine Semenyo had a chance right in front of the goal but his shot was blocked away.

What a goal from Nico O'Reilly. The academy product is having some season. Fantastic move from Manchester City. Omar Marmous drifts away with the ball on the opposite side of the defender and O'Reilly makes a smart overlapping run inside the box.

The youngster receives on his left and whams the ball past Nick Pope. Newcastle have started to react almost immediately. Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a strong save to deny Anthony Gordon's shot.

Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall had equalized for the Magpies in the 22nd minute but guess who is on scoresheet again? Not Haaland or Marmoush or Semenyo. It's Nico O'Reilly puts City in front for the 2nd time tonight and he completes his brace.

Ruben Dias picks up a yellow card for a late challenge on Anthony Gordon and Newcastle United get a freekick from outside of the box from 20-30 yards away.

Sandro Tonali sent in a delicious ball and it was met by Dan Burn, who heads it inside but the English centre-back has been flagged off-side.

Nico O'Reilly's twin strikes in the first-half helps Manchester City remain in full control against Newcastle United, who trail by 2-1.

Bernardo Silva picks up a yellow card right at the start of the 2nd half and he fouls once again and this time it's Dan Burn. The referee has a few words with City captain as Newcastle get a freekick from dangerous position.

Rayan Cherki has been subbed on for Omar Marmoush as Manchester City try to find the 3rd goal of the night.

Rayan Ait-Nouri showcases top defending to deny Anthony Elanga from scoring a possible equalizer. On the other end, Cherki played Semenyo right in front of the goal but the Ghanian shoots it into the Nick Pope's hands.

Constant attacking threat from both sides. Newcastle United are playing more with the ball but the City defence has been solid so far. The Magpies win a corner but Hall's cross inside gets clattered away by Matheus Nunes.

Erling Haaland, who has not found the back of the net yet, is coming down consistently for defensive duties.

What a straight forward clear chance it could have been for Manchester City, had Rayan Ait-Nouri laid the ball in towards the box for Erling Haaland.

Ait-Nouri gets puzzled and tangles on his own during a 1v1 against Dan Burn.

Phil Foden was very close from scoring City's 3rd there but Nick Pope produced two stunning saves to first deny Erling Haaland and then Foden. 4 minutes have been added on as extra-time.

The Etihad Stadium is buzzing with excitement and Pep Guardiola is absolutely overjoyed as he celebrates and cheers with the City fans in the stands. The Spaniard knows the value of these 3 points. The gap at the top of the table has been cut down to just 2 points.