Barnes brace helps Newcastle thwart Manchester Citys Premier League push
Newcastle United hampered Manchester Citys bid for the Premier League crown with a hard fought 2-1 win on Saturday powered by Harvey Barnes two goals.
The team under Pep Guardiola found themselves behind after Barnes struck in the second half at St James Park only for Ruben Dias to restore parity for the away side.
Soon after Dias netted the equaliser Barnes claimed Newcastles disputed second which survived a prolonged VAR review over a possible offside involving Bruno Guimaraes.
Guardiola voiced strong displeasure about a penalty decision in the first half concerning Phil Foden.
This marked Manchester Citys fourth loss in the league this term dropping them to third spot four points adrift of top side Arsenal who face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Guardiola noted it was premature to discuss the title contention this early yet he must be deeply irritated at failing to close the gap on Arsenal.
Heading into the break for internationals Manchester City had secured a 3-0 triumph against struggling title holders Liverpool extending their run to seven victories in eight outings across all tournaments.
However they lost that form in a match riddled with mistakes up north where Erling Haaland was kept scoreless for just the third occasion in 21 outings for club and country this year.
Haaland aimed to reach his 100th league strike in his 109th outing since joining from Borussia Dortmund back in 2022.
Yet he squandered multiple opportunities allowing Newcastle to defeat City for only the second time in 36 league clashes.
For Eddie Howe this victory over City in his 19th league attempt against them softened the blow from back to back defeats to West Ham United and Brentford prior to the internationals.
Manchester Citys goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma almost handed Newcastle an early lead within the first 30 seconds with a poor pass that Barnes intercepted yet the forward blazed over from 10 yards straight at the keeper.
Wasteful Manchester City
Haaland committed a similar error shortly after slicing his chip over Nick Pope following a hasty dash from the Newcastle custodian after receiving Jeremy Dokus pass.
Newcastle had a goal ruled out when Donnarumma brilliantly saved Nick Woltemades header from Tino Livramentos delivery.
Foden fired over from a promising spot in the box then unsuccessfully claimed a penalty after Fabian Schar delivered a hefty challenge leaving him in agony during the sequence.
Foden along with the Manchester City bench were incensed by the call their anger growing when Jacob Murphy escaped a handball penalty after stopping Dokus effort with his arm.
Donnarumma again thwarted Woltemade denying the Germans shot after he raced clear on target.
In a period marked by subpar shooting Barnes produced the most glaring miss firing wide from near point blank with the net gaping.
Haaland too was imprecise heading Nico Oreillys cross directly at Pope from close distance.
Strikingly the free Foden managed an even poorer effort dragging wide from Rayan Cherkis assist right before the interval.
Manchester City eventually conceded as Barnes atoned for prior failures with a sharp low shot into the corner from the boxes edge in the 64th minute following Guimaraess penetrating run and lay off that split the backline.
Guardiola side led for a mere four minutes.
Bernardo Silvas attempt was diverted to Dias whose firm 12 yard hit took a deflection off Schar and into the net.
Yet Dias first league goal in these colours since netting at Newcastle four years prior triggered a swift riposte from Howes team.
As Woltemade directed his header across the face Guimaraes headed the ball onto the crossbar with the loose ball dropping for Barnes to smash home.
The extended VAR examination for offside on Guimaraes appeared to lean towards Manchester City but ultimately cleared the way for Newcastle as the home supporters celebrated a standout win.