Manchester City’s win reduced Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.
Nico O’Reilly’s first-half brace inspired Manchester City to a vital 2-1 win over Newcastle United, which turned the heat on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
City took the lead on Saturday through O’Reilly’s left-footed strike in the 14th minute before Lewis Hall equalized.
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O’Reilly restored City’s lead in the 27th minute when he headed in Erling Haaland’s cross to seal the match-winning performance as Pep Guardiola’s side reduced Arsenal’s lead to two points.
Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and they know City are now quenching their thirst.
Arsenal’s poor showing, which saw them draw with bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, opened the door for City but a win over Newcastle was essential.
They dominated the away team and showed a perfunctory look in the early stages, but it was a different story as they nervously secured victory after the break.
Nothing shows City’s determination better than goalscorer Haaland’s tireless efforts to block shots and head home shots in his own area.
Newcastle worked hard for an equalizer and there was a sense of relief around the Etihad Stadium when the final whistle blew. They will now be watching Arsenal’s Sunday derby with more interest.
City had a good start and went ahead when Omar Marmoush ran in from O’Reilly. He could have touched the ball for Haaland on his left, but the 20-year-old decided to trust his left foot and his powerful shot beat Nick Pope.
Newcastle soon leveled but a weak clearance fell to Hall, whose shot deflected off a City player and past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Haaland showed many other attributes to his game that weren’t on the scoresheet, his measured cross being met by O’Reilly who fired his header past Pope.
City were not as effective in attack after half-time, but they defended tenaciously when needed and were always a threat on the counter-attack.
They now have 56 points from 27 games. If Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham on Sunday, City will feel they have the title race firmly in their hands.
“It’s incredible,” O’Reilly said of the goal and the three points.
“Winning was the most important thing, closing the gap and applying as much pressure as possible,” he told TNT Sports.
“I am very satisfied with the two goals. It is my dream to win the (Premier League) title.”
Asked if City, unbeaten in eight games, could win the title, he added: “Yes, we always believe we can win.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, Aston Villa’s slim Premier League title hopes were dealt a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United, while Chelsea’s top-four ambitions were damaged as they dropped two points against relegation-bound Burnley.
Anton Stazzi’s stunning 31st-minute free-kick past Emiliano Martinez looked set to give Leeds a decisive win at Villa Park, but substitute Tammy Abraham equalized in the second half.
Chelsea moved up to fourth on goal difference, ahead of Manchester United, but felt like they had dropped two points for the second week in a row as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead but the hosts were reduced to 10 men after Wesley Fofana received a second yellow card and Burnley equalized in extra time through Zian Flemming.
Brighton’s James Milner broke his record for Premier League appearances in a 2-0 win over Brentford.
The 40-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool player made his 654th appearance, surpassing Gareth Barry.
West Ham had chances to put pressure on Nottingham Forest and Spurs in their relegation battle, but were held to an absurd draw by visiting Bournemouth. This was the sixth successive stalemate between the two Premier League sides.
