Nico O’Reilly double seals key 2-1 win for Man City over Newcastle United

Manchester City’s win reduce Arsenal’s lead on the prime of the Premier League to 2 factors.

Nico O’Reilly’s first-half brace impressed Manchester City to an important 2-1 victory over Newcastle United, which turned up the warmth on Premier ⁠League leaders Arsenal.

City took the lead on Saturday when O’Reilly slammed in a left-footed shot within the 14th minute earlier than Lewis Corridor levelled.

O’Reilly headed in Erling Haaland’s cross to revive City’s lead ⁠within the twenty seventh minute, and it proved to be the match-winner as Pep Guardiola’s aspect reduce Arsenal’s result in two factors.

Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, understanding that City are actually respiration down their necks.

The stuttering type of Arsenal, who drew with the underside membership Wolverhampton Wanderers ‌on Wednesday, opened the door for City, however victory over Newcastle was crucial.

It seemed like a formality early on as they overran their guests, but it surely was a distinct story after the break as they nervously held on to the victory.

Nothing illustrated City’s willpower greater than the sight of goal-machine Haaland working tirelessly again in his personal space, blocking photographs and making clearing headers.

Newcastle pushed onerous for an equaliser, and ⁠when the ultimate whistle blew, there was reduction round Etihad ⁠Stadium. They may now be watching Arsenal’s Sunday derby with added curiosity.

City have been slick initially and went forward when a surging Omar Marmoush performed in O’Reilly. He may have touched it on for Haaland ⁠to his left, however the 20-year-old opted to belief his left foot, and his highly effective shot beat Nick Pope.

Newcastle have been stage quickly afterwards, ⁠although, as a weak clearance fell to Corridor, whose ⁠shot took a spark off a City participant earlier than beating keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Haaland was not on the scoresheet however confirmed many different attributes to his recreation, and it was his measured cross that was met by O’Reilly, ‌who directed his header previous Pope.

City have been nowhere close to as efficient as an attacking power after the break, however they defended doggedly when required and have been at all times a menace on the ‌counter-attack.

They ‌now have 56 factors from 27 video games. Ought to Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham on Sunday, City will really feel they’ve the title race firmly of their fingers.

O’Reilly mentioned he was “over the moon” concerning the targets and three factors.

“The win was an important factor: shut the hole and apply as a lot strain as potential,” he instructed TNT Sports activities.

“Very pleased with the 2 targets. It’s a dream of mine to win [the Premier League].”

Requested if City, unbeaten in eight video games, can win the title, he added: “Yeah, positively. We at all times imagine we are able to win video games.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, ⁠Aston Villa’s faint Premier ⁠League title hopes suffered a blow as they have been held to a 1-1 draw at dwelling to Leeds United, and Chelsea’s top-four ambitions have been broken after they dropped two factors towards relegation-bound ⁠Burnley.

Anton Stach’s beautiful Thirty first-minute free kick previous Emiliano Martinez seemed like giving Leeds an important victory at Villa Park, however substitute Tammy Abraham levelled late on.

Chelsea moved above Manchester United into fourth spot on objective distinction, but it surely felt like two factors dropped for the second week working as they drew 1-1 with Burnley at dwelling.

Joao Pedro put Chelsea forward, however the hosts have been diminished to 10 males when Wesley Fofana obtained a second yellow ⁠card and Burnley equalised in stoppage time by means of Zian Flemming.

Brighton’s James Milner broke the Premier League look report in ⁠their 2-0 win at Brentford.

The 40-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool ⁠participant made his 654th look to go previous Gareth Barry.

West Ham had the chance to essentially put some strain on Nottingham Forest and Spurs within the relegation battle, however performed out a turgid draw with visiting Bournemouth. It ‌was ‌the sixth successive Premier League stalemate between the edges.