Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly scored a first-half double to secure a 2-1 win over visiting Newcastle United on Saturday and piled on the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
City took the lead when O’Reilly struck a left-footed shot in the 14th minute before Lewis Hall leveled.
O’Reilly headed in Erling Haaland’s cross to restore City’s lead in the 27th, and it proved to be the match-winner as Pep Guardiola’s side cut Arsenal’s lead to two points.
Arsenal visit north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday knowing City are now breathing down their necks.
Arsenal’s stuttering form, which drew 2-2 with bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, has opened the door for City, but the win over Newcastle was absolutely necessary.
A seventeenth consecutive Premier League home win against Newcastle looked like a formality early on as City overran the visiting team. But it was a different story after the break as they nervously held on for victory.
“Really tough, but the team was incredible,” Guardiola said. «70 percent of the players have never been in this situation (an exciting title race). So we have to live with it; they know every game will be like this.»
Nothing illustrated City’s determination better than the sight of goal machine Haaland working tirelessly in his own area, blocking shots and making good headers.
Newcastle pushed hard for an equalizer, and when the final whistle blew there was relief around the Etihad Stadium. City will now watch Arsenal’s Sunday derby with extra interest.
It was slick at the start and continued as an onrushing Omar Marmoush played into O’Reilly. He could have touched the ball for Haaland on his left, but the 20-year-old opted to rely on his left foot and his powerful shot beat goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Newcastle leveled shortly afterwards, however, when a weak ball fell to Hall, whose shot took a touch from a City player before beating ‘keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Haaland was not on the scoresheet, but he showed many other qualities in his play, and it was his measured cross that was met by O’Reilly, who directed his header past Pope.
It was the first time O’Reilly had scored twice in a Premier League match.
«He is so complete and so young. I am really happy that the academy has produced these incredible players, Nico, Phil (Foden), Rico (Lewis),» Guardiola said.
City were not nearly as effective as an attacking force after the break, but defended tenaciously when necessary and were always a threat on the counter-attack.
They are now 56 points behind Arsenal on 58, with both teams having played 27 matches. Should Mikel Arteta’s faltering side fail to beat struggling neighbors Spurs on Sunday, City will feel they are firmly in control of the title race.
Published on February 22, 2026
