TNT Sports
Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United: Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva strike as City put pressure on Arsenal in title race
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Published 04/03/2023 at 12:30 GMT
Manchester City defeated Newcastle United 2-0 to close the gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal to two points ahead of the Gunners’ clash with Bournemouth later on Saturday. Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva struck either side of the break for Pep Guardiola’s side as they put a dent in the visitors’ top-four hopes at the Etihad and extended their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions.
Guardiola lauds 'incredible good result for us' after win over Newcastle United
Video credit: SNTV
Phil Foden starred as Manchester City bolstered their title hopes with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United that is a further blow to the Magpies’ bid for a top-four finish.
The England international continued his return to form with a dazzling solo effort on 15 minutes to make it four goals in his last three games.
The hosts dominated the first 45 but couldn’t add to their tally with Erling Haaland heading a great chance just wide.
Newcastle were on the back foot but blew two glorious openings through Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon, with the latter making his first start for the club since his January move from Everton.
The second period was a scrappy and more even affair until past the hour mark when substitute Bernardo Silva stabbed a low shot into the corner within three minutes of taking to the field.
The result sees second-place City move to within two points of leaders Arsenal, who host Bournemouth later on Saturday. Newcastle stay fifth and are now four points off fourth-place Tottenham having played one game fewer.
Man City will now aim to make it four wins on the spin all competitions when they travel to Crystal Palace next Saturday. Newcastle host Wolves a week on Sunday.
Talking point - City gearing up for a big finale while Newcastle could be fading
The reigning Premier League champions have had their blips this season and have been looking up at Arsenal for much of it, but there’s a sense that they are knuckling down nicely for the run-in.
The resurgence of the likes of Foden will only enhance their push for glory both home and abroad and they’ve been in this situation enough times in the past to handle the heat.
As for Newcastle, it is now five games without a win in all competitions with three defeats in that sequence. The Magpies look to have dipped at a crucial juncture in the campaign and now they are locked in a real scrap for a spot in the top four, that seemed a good bet just a few weeks ago. Eddie Howe will be desperate to get them back on track and next week’s clash at home to Wolves takes on even greater significance now.
Player of the match - Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Earlier in the week the 22-year-old spoke about going through one of the worst parts of his career recently, but he’s clearly come through that now and looks like being a key player for City in the final furlong of the season. His fast-paced, direct running was a continual source of concern for the visitors who struggled to handle him all afternoon.
Player Ratings
MAN CITY: Ederson 7, Walker 7, Dias 7, Akanji 8, Ake 7, Rodri 7, De Bruyne 6, Gundogan 7, Foden 8, Grealish 8, Haaland 7. Sub: Bernardo Silva 8.
NEWCASTLE UTD: Pope 7, Trippier 7, Botman 7, Lascelles 7, Burn 7, Joelinton 7, Longstaff 7, Guimaraes 7, Gordon 6, Almiron 5, Wilson 5. Subs: Saint-Maximin 6, Isak 7, Willock 7, Murphy 6, Targett n/a.
Match Highlights
02’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! The hosts break down the left. KDB feeds Grealish who clips a lovely cross into the centre for Gundogan, but the German flashes his header over the bar.
15’ – GOAL! – Man City 1-0 Newcastle. Foden embarks upon a dazzling solo run as he darts in from the right beyond the challenge of several Newcastle players before firing a deflected shot beyond Pope.
17’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! There's an opening for an instant response from the visitors but Sean Longstaff sees a goal-bound effort brilliantly blocked by Ake.
34’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Haaland rises to get his head on KDB's delicious left-wing cross but he can only guide wide of the far post under pressure from Botman.
37’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Trippier finds Wilson in a brilliant position in the penalty area but the forward completely fluffs his lines with a failure to connect with the ball from close range.
67’ – GOAL! – Man City 2-0 Newcastle. Super sub! Bernardo Silva stabs home from 12 yards out after a neat touch on from Haaland.
86’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Grealish surges in from the left, plays a couple of one-twos and then lays it on for Foden, who sees his low shot well saved by Pope.
Key Stats
At 22 years and 280 days, Phil Foden (33 goals, 17 assists) has become the youngest player to reach 50 Premier League goal involvements for Manchester City.
Newcastle lost their first game in 18 Premier League matches when Bruno Guimaraes has played for them
Bernardo Silva's strike was Manchester City's 1,000th Premier League home goal, the sixth side to reach the milestone in the competition (160 at Maine Road, 840 at the Etihad).
Ederson claimed his 100th Premier League clean sheet.
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