Phil Foden’s superb solo goal helped Manchester City see off Newcastle and ensured the defending champions kept up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Foden struck after 15 minutes, gliding in from the right and holding off two challenges before seeing his shot deflected home off Sven Botman.
Newcastle responded well and were causing plenty of problems until City substitute Bernardo Silva slotted home to put the game out of their reach midway through the second half.
The win means City move to within two points of the Gunners, who play Bournemouth later on Saturday, while Newcastle remain fifth, four points behind Tottenham.
While the result will be disappointing for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, as his side looked to bounce back from last weekend’s Carabao Cup final defeat, there were plenty of positives for him in defeat.
His side were on top when Erling Haaland set up Silva to make it 2-0 from the edge of the area, with Joelinton going close and substitute Alexander Isak denied by an onrushing Ederson.
Isak was particularly impressive whenever he was on the ball and his return to fitness will be a big boost for Newcastle, who have now won only one of their past eight league games, as they look to rescue their stalling season.
Foden the star of the show for City
City made hard work of this game at times, especially after half-time when some sloppy passing gave Newcastle the impetus to come forward and threaten an equaliser.
But they still showed flashes of their best attacking form, with Ilkay Gundogan and Haaland both just off target with headers before the break.
Foden was the star of the show, however, with some silky touches out on the right flank showing his current mood, as well as the stylish way he took his goal.
Overall it was a job well done for Pep Guardiola’s side, with the bonus of a welcome clean sheet after a run of league games where defensive errors always seemed to result in them conceding a goal.
More follows.
How to play
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key = Give it up = Pure perfection
Manchester City
Starting XI
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Squad number31Player nameEdersonAverage rating
6.37
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Squad number2Player nameWalkerAverage rating
6.50
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Squad number25Player nameAkanjiAverage rating
6.52
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Squad number3Player nameRúben DiasAverage rating
6.72
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Squad number6Player nameAkéAverage rating
7.03
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Squad number16Player nameRodriAverage rating
6.86
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Squad number8Player nameGündoganAverage rating
6.72
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Squad number47Player nameFodenAverage rating
7.91
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Squad number17Player nameDe BruyneAverage rating
7.01
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Squad number10Player nameGrealishAverage rating
7.25
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Squad number9Player nameHaalandAverage rating
6.90
Substitutes
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Squad number20Player nameBernardo SilvaAverage rating
7.61
Newcastle United
Starting XI
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Squad number22Player namePope
Average rating5.95
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Squad number2Player nameTrippier
Average rating5.63
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Squad number6Player nameLascelles
Average rating5.37
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Squad number4Player nameBotman
Average rating5.51
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Squad number33Player nameBurn
Average rating5.36
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Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Average rating5.36
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Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães
Average rating5.88
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Squad number7Player nameJoelinton
Average rating5.70
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Squad number24Player nameAlmirón
Average rating5.56
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Squad number9Player nameWilson
Average rating4.80
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Squad number8Player nameGordon
Average rating4.99
Substitutes
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Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin
Average rating5.04
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Squad number13Player nameTargett
Average rating4.65
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Squad number14Player nameIsak
Average rating5.55
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Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Average rating4.87
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Squad number28Player nameWillock
Average rating5.24
Line-ups
Man City
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 31Ederson
- 2Walker
- 25Akanji
- 3Rúben Dias
- 6AkéBooked at 58mins
- 16Rodri
- 8Gündogan
- 47Foden
- 17De BruyneSubstituted forBernardo Silvaat 65′minutes
- 10Grealish
- 9HaalandBooked at 74mins
Substitutes
- 4Phillips
- 5Stones
- 14Laporte
- 18Ortega
- 19Álvarez
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 26Mahrez
- 80Palmer
- 82Lewis
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Pope
- 2Trippier
- 6LascellesBooked at 90mins
- 4Botman
- 33BurnBooked at 74minsSubstituted forTargettat 87′minutes
- 36S LongstaffSubstituted forWillockat 63′minutes
- 39Bruno GuimarãesBooked at 76mins
- 7JoelintonBooked at 53mins
- 24AlmirónSubstituted forMurphyat 77′minutes
- 9WilsonSubstituted forIsakat 63′minutes
- 8GordonSubstituted forSaint-Maximinat 62′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Dúbravka
- 10Saint-Maximin
- 11Ritchie
- 13Targett
- 14Isak
- 19Manquillo
- 23Murphy
- 28Willock
- 32Anderson
- Referee:
- Simon Hooper
- Attendance:
- 53,419
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester City 2, Newcastle United 0.
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Second Half ends, Manchester City 2, Newcastle United 0.
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Attempt saved. Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Foul by Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City).
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Jacob Murphy (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Joelinton.
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Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Joelinton.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Joelinton.
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Jamaal Lascelles.
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Substitution, Newcastle United. Matt Targett replaces Dan Burn.
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Attempt saved. Phil Foden (Manchester City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jack Grealish.
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Jack Grealish (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United).
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Kyle Walker (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joelinton (Newcastle United).
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Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Kieran Trippier.
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Erling Haaland (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United).
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Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Kyle Walker.
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