Manchester City narrows Arsenal lead with O'Reillys double against Newcastle
Manchester City boosted their Premier League title push with a crucial 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday thanks to Nico OReillys brace.
OReilly opened the scoring for City in the first half at the Etihad Stadium and then netted again after Lewis Hall levelled the match.
Pep Guardiolas team did not perform at their peak yet they secured the points to trail leaders Arsenal by just two.
Arsenal face Tottenham on Sunday but no matter the outcome of that north London clash City hold the key to the championship.
With a fixture to spare over Arsenal following this round they will welcome Mikel Artetas squad in April and clinch Guardiolas seventh title with 11 straight league triumphs.
Guardiola had stated on Friday that Arsenals recent slip did not concern him despite reviving the contest.
While Arsenal managed only two victories in their previous seven league outings City are peaking perfectly.
A fifth win in a row across all tournaments stretched their unbeaten streak to eight.
This marked the fourth clash between City and Newcastle this term with another looming in the FA Cup last 16 next month.
Newcastle never won in 20 prior Premier League trips to the Etihad also falling there in this seasons League Cup semi finals.
Exhausted from a 5000 mile round journey to Baku for Wednesdays Champions League playoff first leg versus Qarabag Newcastle convinced the Premier League to shift their Manchester visit to Saturday evening from the initial early kick off.
Edgy finish
City quickly probed Newcastles tiredness with an energetic opening.
Their initial dominance yielded a striking goal in the 14th minute.
Following Erling Haalands nod to Omar Marmoush the Egyptian slipped a smart ball to O'Reilly who surged to the boxes edge and drilled a firm shot beyond Nick Pope.
Anthony Gordon notched four in Newcastles 6 1 thrashing of Qarabag and the England winger nearly replied straight away with a fierce effort that Gianluigi Donnarumma diverted.
Far too exposed defensively all match City fell to a counter in the 22nd minute.
They bungled a corner clearance allowing Hall to strike from distance with the ball deflecting sharply off City back Rayan Ait Nouri en route past the stranded Donnarumma.
Guardiolas charges responded swiftly regaining the advantage five minutes on.
Found by Antoine Semenyo Haaland delivered an excellent lofted pass into the Newcastle box where O'Reilly arrived spot on to bullet a close range header down into the net past Pope.
Still Hall nearly drew level again post break curling just wide with a bold attempt that earned a nod of respect from Donnarumma.
Guardiola showed irritation at Citys inability to seal the deal barking at his side to retain possession more as he paced the sideline.
The City bosses tension rose further when Semenyo tamely fired at Pope from a promising spot but City endured the nail biting end to maintain heat on Arsenal.