Manchester, February 21, 2026, Manchester City steadied their Premier League title push with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium. Young midfielder Nico O’Reilly led the way with two first-half goals, while Lewis Hall briefly pulled Newcastle level with a sharp finish. – Watch the Highlights
With the three points, City stay close to the top of the table and keep their form moving in the right direction. Still, Newcastle made them work for it and never went away.
Match Overview
From the start, both sides played on the front foot. Manchester City saw more of the ball and piled up chances, yet Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side had strong spells too and asked real questions in transition. Under the Etihad lights, the game moved quickly and featured a mix of young standouts and proven names.
City hit first through O’Reilly, then Newcastle answered soon after. O’Reilly struck again before the break to put the hosts back in front. After halftime, the Magpies raised the tempo with fresh legs and more pressure, but City stayed organized and saw the match out.
Key Match Highlights
- 14th minute: Manchester City go 1-0 up. Omar Marmoush drives into space and tees up Nico O’Reilly near the edge of the area. O’Reilly hits a firm shot past Nick Pope.
- 22nd minute: Newcastle makes it 1-1. Lewis Hall finds the net with a well-placed effort that takes a tricky path through traffic, sparking the away end.
- 27th minute: Cityrestorese their lead. Erling Haaland sends in an inviting cross, and O’Reilly rises to power home a header for his second goal and a 2-1 advantage.
- Second half: Newcastle search for an equalizer as chances fall to Joe Willock and the substitutes. However, Ruben Dias and the City back line hold strong. Late cards and end-to-end moments keep the pace high, yet the score stays the same.
In the end, the first half decided it. O’Reilly’s brace made the difference, while Haaland’s assist showed his value beyond finishing. Marmoush also played his part, especially in the move that opened the scoring.
Manchester City Player Ratings and Statistics
Manchester City controlled long stretches and looked sharp in possession, while still needing to defend with focus.
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ederson | GK | Steady distribution | 7.5 |
| Ruben Dias | DF | Calm leader at the back | 8.0 |
| Nico O’Reilly | MF | Two goals (14′, 27′), Man of the Match | 9.5 |
| Erling Haaland | FW | Assist for City’s second | 8.5 |
| Omar Marmoush | FW | Set up opener, direct running | 8.0 |
| Antoine Semenyo | FW | High-energy pressing | 7.5 |
| Bernardo Silva | MF | Smart link play in attack | 7.8 |
Team stats: Possession about 65%, shots 18 (8 on target), corners 7, pass accuracy 89%.
Newcastle United Player Ratings and Statistics
Newcastle showed fight, especially after falling behind, but they didn’t take enough of their chances.
| Player | Position | Key Contribution | Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Pope | GK | Several good stops | 7.0 |
| Lewis Hall | DF | Goal (22′) | 8.0 |
| Joe Willock | MF | Busy, drove attacks forward | 7.2 |
| Jacob Ramsey | MF | Bright start, faded later | 6.8 |
| Harvey Barnes | Sub (if any) | Listed, no rating provided | N/A |
Team stats: Possession about 35%, shots 10 (4 on target), corners 4, pass accuracy 78%. Newcastle defended well in spells, but City’s movement caused problems.
Post-Match Analysis
Pep Guardiola praised O’Reilly’s calm finishing and decision-making, saying, “Nico showed great composure and finishing, that’s exactly what we need in big games.” As a result, City take confidence into their next run of fixtures.
On the other side, Eddie Howe focused on the response and effort. “We reacted well after going behind and created chances,” he said. “The lads gave everything against a top side.”
This Premier League matchup showed City’s depth and Newcastle’s quality. With plenty of the season left, both teams remain in the mix for Europe and more.
