Harvey Barnes scored twice as Newcastle beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday Night Football as Josep Guardiola’s side missed a chance to close the gap on Arsenal to one point at the top of the Premier League.
It was the first time Eddie Howe had won against an opponent’s number in the league, and the last time the Magpies beat Man City in the Premier League was in January 2019.
The result was not good for Guardiola. There were seemingly angry confrontations with officials and heated arguments with Mr Guimarães, who was no longer working full-time, and Mr Joelinton was also dissatisfied. However, it was unclear who it was directed at.
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Josep Guardiola had a heated exchange of words between Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães after Manchester City lost 2-1 to Newcastle.
Josep Guardiola with referee Sam Barot and full-time assistants (AP Photo/Jon Super)
For 63 minutes it felt like neither team wanted to score. There were a number of chances in the first half, but Barnes broke through. After being slipped past by Bruno Guimarães, he broke through a packed box to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
Man City reacted almost immediately. When Ruben Dias scored with a sweep from the second phase of a corner kick, it was something we’re not used to seeing in Guardiola’s side.
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Harvey Barnes gives Newcastle the lead against Manchester City.
But two minutes later, and just seven minutes after his first goal, Barnes scored again. Nick Woltemade’s header hit the Guimarães goal post. His own shot hit the bottom of the bar and then flew to the goalkeeper. Barnes then scored a close-range finish to put Newcastle back in the lead.
However, two offsides were checked by VAR and it took nearly five minutes for the goal to be scored. However, neither Barnes nor Guimarães was considered off and the goal was awarded.
There was also some question as to whether Donnarumma had been fouled, but he went to the referee immediately afterwards, which was also disallowed.
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Harvey Barnes restored Newcastle’s lead against Manchester City and his goal was cleared after a lengthy VAR review.
“He needs to be stronger in this special moment,” Micah Richards said on Saturday Night Football. “I know we have Barnes, but what size is Donnarumma? It was too easy. We didn’t make enough contact. It wasn’t a foul.”
After a somehow goalless first half, there were a ton of goals. The tone was set within 26 seconds when Donnarumma was forced into a save from Barnes, who then inexplicably shot wide from close range.
Phil Foden and Erling Haaland also missed chances and made saves, but Man City’s goalkeeper saved as many as three shots at Woltemade.
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Ruben Dias scored the equalizer for Manchester City.
There was also a cry for two penalties from Man City. Phil Foden was challenged by Fabian Schaal, but VAR ruled there was not enough contact. Then there was a call for handball on Malik Thiaw, but again nothing was given.
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Was Phil Foden denied a Manchester City penalty at Newcastle?
Man City missed the chance to move into second place, one point behind Arsenal, who will face Tottenham on Super Sunday. They remain in third place, one point behind Chelsea and four points behind the Gunners.
Newcastle move up to 14th place with 15 points, four places above the relegation zone.
The mistakes in the first half are something you have to see to believe…
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Gianluigi Donnarumma atones for his mistake with a save to deny Harvey Barnes
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A good save from Gianluigi Donnarumma also kept Newcastle at bay.
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Harvey Barnes missed a golden chance in the first half
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Phil Foden was next to miss a golden chance to break the deadlock at St James’ Park.
‘It means something’ – Dias furious after Newcastle’s second goal
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Manchester City defender Ruben Dias was not happy with Newcastle’s winning goal at St James’ Park.
Man City defender Ruben Dias told Sky Sports: “What on earth is the point of their players pushing the goalkeeper out of the goal? What do we allow and for how long?”
“Sometimes we allow it, sometimes we don’t. Where are the rules? What can we actually do?
“For the second goal, Gigio is in his position and is pushed out. And there is no result. It is conceded. I had a chance to get it back, but I didn’t realize it on the pitch.”
“I thought it was odd that he was out of position, so I knew right away that something was wrong. But I managed to watch the review and Barnes was keeping him away from the goal. We’re very picky about certain contacts, but is something like this allowed with the keeper? That’s the way it is. If that’s the rule, so be it. But let’s do the same for us.”
“In the past, it was a foul. Now it’s apparently allowed. People will say we’re looking for excuses, but there’s nothing like that. Newcastle were better today and deserved to win. That’s why they had more chances than us. As per the rules, the rules are necessary.”
Guardiola puts angry FT scene on the back burner
Man City manager Josep Guardiola told Sky Sports: “It was a close game, a lot of chances and an interesting game. But in the end we won with two goals.”
“Overall we were really good. We had some chances and we had a lot more momentum in the second half, but we just couldn’t finish a little bit.”
As for Donnarumma’s complaint about a foul on Newcastle’s winner, he said: “If he complained, it’s because something went wrong. The same thing happened at Bournemouth. That’s the way it is.”
As for what he spoke to coach Guimarães at full-time, he said: “I told him how good he is and also about the situation with Gijo (Donnarumma), I told him what happened in the previous situation. I think it’s okay.”
Bruno Guimarães and Josep Guardiola in full-time battle
Howe: A win would take us a long way.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said on Sky Sports: “I’ve been waiting for a win against Pep for a long time. He’s a great manager. I’m really happy to have won tonight.”
“I was pleased with the team’s heart, effort and attitude today. It was a big turnaround compared to the game against Brentford, where we looked tired. I’m very happy and it should give us a lot of motivation in a tough Premier League season.”
On Barnes’ two-goal performance: “I think Harvey is an outstanding player. He’s always a threat to score. He could have scored four today if he had the chance. But what I like about Harvey is that he never gets upset when he misses.”
On tactics to beat Man City: “My opinion is that no matter what strategy we choose, City will create chances. We tried to choose the style that suits us best. Today our centre-halves worked very well against Haaland. We are really happy with our result.”
‘Man City had no answer to Newcastle’s power’
Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports: “This result gives Pep Guardiola a lot of problems. Everyone was talking about them as title challengers and today I thought this was going to be a big ask for them.”
They had no answer to Newcastle’s power. It was a real Eddie Howe team performance…the crowd wanted a performance and I thought they responded brilliantly today.
“Newcastle deserved it in the second half. The battle in midfield was always key and Eddie Howe’s side won it in the 45 minutes of the second half.
“Joelington, Guimarães and Tonali were great. They were too strong for Man City’s midfield. It’s a big three points for Newcastle.”
