Newcastle fell to defeat at the Etihad once again as Nico O’Reilly scored a brace in a 2-1 win for Manchester City.
O’Reilly put City ahead before they were quickly pulled back by a strike from Lewis Hall, but a second by City’s 21-year-old was the difference.
The home side controlled much of the opening stages, and they put their stamp on the game when O’Reilly fired an effort past Nick Pope from distance in the 14th minute.
Eight minutes later, the visitors were level.
City failed to clear a Newcastle corner, and Hall struck it back in. A deflection from Rayan Ait-Nouri took it past Gianluigi Donnarumma, who couldn’t reach it as it rolled into the bottom right corner.
This was the Magpies’ first goal at the Etihad in the Premier League since DeAndre Yedlin scored in a 2-1 defeat back in 2018.
This was quickly cancelled out when O’Reilly got a second as he headed home from close range from an Erling Haaland cross on the 27th minute.
Dan Burn thought he drew it level just before the break when he found the back of the net from a Sandro Tonali free kick, but he was quickly deemed offside.
The second half started quietly between the two teams until the 63rd minute.
Antoine Semenyo found space in the Newcastle box, but his effort lacked any conviction and was easily dealt with by Pope.
With 20 minutes to go, Newcastle started to put the pressure on the home team, with a series of set pieces, but City were able to deal with it.
City came close to adding a third through both Haaland and substitute Phil Foden in added time, but Pope was able to deny them.
Despite Pope giving the Magpies a glimmer of hope, there wasn’t enough time for Newcastle to get an equaliser, even with a late flurry of chances.
The result means that Newcastle remain in 10th, but could fall outside the top half, and possibly below rivals Sunderland.
The three points for City put them just two points off league leaders Arsenal, with 11 games to go.
Newcastle host Qarabag FK on Tuesday in their Champions League second leg, which is quickly followed by a league home game against Everton.
