Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle: Guardiola's men cut the gap on Arsenal

Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle: Phil Foden and super-sub Bernardo Silva fire Pep Guardiola’s side to victory as they cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to two points with win over the Magpies at the Etihad

  • Foden weaved past four defenders before finishing via a deflection to convert his fourth goal in three matches
  • Newcastle had chances to level through Callum Wilson and Joelinton but they failed to mount a shot on target
  • Manchester City sealed the points with a strike from Bernardo Silva shortly after he’d come on as substitute
  • Eddie Howe’s Magpies have gained a reputation for time-wasting and there were again lengthy stoppages
  • City also missed chances, particularly when Haaland rose well to Kevin De Bruyne’s cross but headed wide 

Phil Foden scored an outstanding solo goal to set up Manchester City’s win and extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions.

Foden weaved past four defenders before finishing via a deflection of Sven Botman to convert his fourth goal in three matches since returning to Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up.

Though Newcastle had chances to level through Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Alexander Isak they still failed to mount a shot on target before City sealed the points with a strike from Bernardo Silva shortly after he’d come on as substitute.

Guardiola went strong with City’s line-up while Eddie Howe turned to club captain Jamaal Lascelles in the absence of Fabian Schar through concussion protocols.

Newcastle had been beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Manchester United last weekend and suffered another setback to fall behind after 15 minutes.

Phil Foden scored an outstanding solo goal to set up Manchester City’s win and extend their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions 

Foden weaved past four defenders before finishing via a deflection of Sven Botman to convert his fourth goal in three matches since returning to Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up 

City sealed the points with a strike from Bernardo Silva shortly after he’d come on as substitute 

There seemed little danger when Foden collected a Rodri pass by the right-hand touchline but from there the England international showed a touch of genius.

He accelerated past Dan Burn, twisted outside the chasing Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes and applied the coup de gras via nick off Botman’s outstretched boot.

Poor Botman looked thoroughly miffed having also given Marcus Rashford a goal at Wembley with a deflection.

Newcastle had to weather a storm to stop falling further behind and Lascelles did a great job in muscling Erling Haaland off the ball as he chased a Kevin De Bruyne pass.

Eddie Howe’s team have gained a reputation for time-wasting this season and there were again lengthy stoppages for treatment Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff.

The visitors may have felt their tactics were justified had they taken their chances. But Wilson misjudged the bounce six yards betraying why he’s scored only once since October.

When he was eventually hooked, Alexander Isak looked more dangerous but was denied by Nathan Ake’s tackle and then Ederson’s block in the same run. Joelinton also missed a sidefoot to score as the Toon’s scoring record worsened to three in eight league games.

There seemed little danger when Foden collected a Rodri pass by the right-hand touchline but from there the England international showed a touch of genius

Pep Guardiola sent on Bernardo Silva for De Bruyne after 65 minutes and there was an instant dividend

Eddie Howe’s team have gained a reputation for time-wasting this season and there were again lengthy stoppages for treatment Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff

Though Newcastle had chances to level through Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Alexander Isak they still failed to mount a shot on target

The Sky Blues also missed chances, particularly when Erling Haaland rose well to Kevin De Bruyne’s cross but headed wide

City also missed chances, particularly when Haaland rose well to Kevin De Bruyne’s cross but headed wide. Foden set up Jack Grealish whose 25-yard curler flew wide.

There was a further delay when Sean Longstaff required inspection after falling awkwardly in a

Guardiola sent on Bernardo Silva for De Bruyne after 65 minutes and there was an instant dividend.

Pope’s clearance lacked distance and as the ball returned towards the danger-zone, Trippier challenged Grealish and the ball diverted to Haaland.

The Norwegian showed he’s more than just a goalscorer by squaring to Bernardo who buried the chance from 20 yards.

City finally had enough of Newcastle’s antics when Burn fouled Grealish and then fell on him.

Haaland led the chase to admonish the 6ft7ins defender and shoved him in the chest with both men getting booked.

Newcastle knew the game was up and were thankful for Pope to stop Foden scoring again near the end.

City are still in the title race with Arsenal but Newcastle are on the slide and could drop outside the top six when the weekend programme is completed.

Match Facts

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson 6: Walker 7, Dias 6.5, Akanji 6, Ake 7; De Bruyne 7 (Bernardo 65 7), Rodri 8, Gundogan 7; Foden 8.5, Haaland 7, Grealish 6.5 

Subs unused: Ortega (Gk), Lewis, Stones, Laporte, Phillips, Mahrez, Alvarez, Palmer

Goal: Foden 15, Bernardo 67

Booked: Ake, Haaland

Newcastle (4-3-3): Pope 6: Trippier 6, Botman 6.5, Lascelles 7, Burn 5; Longstaff 6 (Willock 63 6), Guimaraes 5.5, Joelinton 5; Almiron 6 (Murphy 77), Wilson 5 (Isak 63 7), Gordon 6 (Saint-Maximin 63 6)

Subs unused: Dubravka (Gk), Targett, Manquillo, Ritchie, Anderson

Booked: Joelinton, Burn, Guimaraes, Lascelles

Referee: Simon Hooper 6

Attendance: 53,419


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