Man City defeat Newcastle as Howe's team continues poor run

Man City defeated Newcastle United 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon to keep their title hopes alive and also put pressure on league leaders Arsenal.

The reigning Champions were far from their best, but Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva scored on either side of the break to give Pep Guardiola a much-needed win.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, however, spurned golden opportunities to score and the result caps off a disappointing run for the Magpies, following their Carabao Cup Final defeat to Manchester United last Sunday.

Man City Newcastle game began Saturday coverage

City could have taken the lead after just 56 seconds when Jack Grealish picked up Ilkay Gundogan following a brilliant counter but the German midfielder headed just over the bar in a frantic start. The visitors also had a golden opportunity to open the scoring on the day but Anthony Gordon fluffed his lines to hit the target after being played through on goal.

Guardiola’s side made the Magpies pay as they took the lead in the 15^th minute. After receiving a cross-field pass in the right wing from Rodri, Foden darted into the box with a brilliant run combined with close control to roll his effort past Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal.

Erling Haaland could have made it 2-0 soon later but the Norwegian headed just wide from Kevin De Bruyne’s fine cross, the latter who looked a shadow of his best self throughout the game. Shortly before the halftime whistle, Newcastle should have been level, but Callum Wilson inexplicably missed a free shot from just six yards to squander the opportunity.

The visitors were once again guilty of missing another great opportunity when Joelinton couldn’t convert from Joe Willock’s excellent cross from the right wing. City finally put the game to bed in the 67^th minute when Bernardo Silva made it 2-0 following Haaland’s clever flick on the edge of the box. The Portuguese midfielder took a great first touch and despite the Newcastle defense closing him down, the 28-year-old found the back of the net with aplomb.

The result means City are now on 58 points from 26 games, 2 short of Arsenal having played an extra game. Newcastle, on the other hand, are going through a torrid run with just one win their last eight.

Eddie Howe’s side must pick themselves up for the business end of the season should they have any chances of being in the top four, as they sit four adrift of Tottenham Hotspur for a Champions League berth.

(Photo: Imago/News Images)