Newcastle United 2-3 Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne's Masterclass

Pep Guardiola’s men looked in for a tough game going into halftime 2-1 down. A single change meant Kevin De Bruyne was able to turn the game around and steal the show, sinking Newcastle United with a goal and an assist for Bobb in the dying minutes of injury time.

• Newcastle have kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League this season - 7.
• Manchester City are ranked first in goals scored per game - with 2.5.

Newcastle vs Manchester City did NOT feature the competition’s current top goalscorer Erling Haaland as he is out with a long-term injury. 

Phil Foden started the game in the crucial attacking midfield position for Man City thanks to the earlier Kevin De Bruyne Injury - which slowed the Belgian down. Despite this, the Belgian still makes an appearance on the bench at St James Park.

An early hope for Newcastle was diminished as Longstaff had a goal disallowed for being offside. Chris Kavanagh’s decision was met with negative reception from the Geordies. 

A late offside call meant Ederson and Kyle Walker collided, ending the Brazilian keeper’s match early. Stefan Ortega entered the field in the 8th minute.

GOAL 26TH MIN - Bernardo Silva shows a touch of class with a neat backheel into the Geordie’s net. Good work by Kyle Walker earns him an assist.

The Magpies seemingly lost their temper on the back of a denial for the foul on Gordon in city’s buildup play, causing a bit of rough play to rear its head.

GOAL 35TH MIN - Geordie hero Isak replied to the rampant City wrath by turning a defender and slotting into the bottom right corner. St James Park absolutely erupted in jubilant celebrations, but the game wasn’t over yet.

GOAL 37TH MIN - On the back of a goal, the game became end-to-end - Newcastle hit a mean streak. Anthony Gordon sent Walker the wrong way and piledrived the ball into the City net.

The game seemingly flipped with Manchester City looking more hot headed than usual. Newcastle thrived off the chaos with physical play and aggression going forward.

Newcastle soak up pressure from Manchester City very well. The visitor’s xG of 1.09 was not backed by the score - with one single goal for the citizens.

As of the 64th minute, City had 72% possession of the ball but still could not find the net. The Geordies really made the Premier League champions work for it.

The 69th minute saw Kevin De Bruyne come on in a tactical decision. Bernardo Silva comes off for a rest, for the returning Belgian midfielder.

GOAL 74TH MINUTE - Having just come on a few minutes earlier, the Belgian magician managed to chip in with a sneaky goal. Pep Guardiola was delighted with his change as it meant Manchester City were back on level terms.

It only took Kevin De Bruyne FIVE TOUCHES before making his mark on the game. He continued to pull the strings creating more chances for City, Newcastle were taken by shock and looked nervous in the 80th minute.

GOAL 90+ 3RD MINUTE - Oscar Bobb danced past a few defenders before confusing Martin Dubravka and slotted it in neatly.

The Geordie stadium fell into disarray as the youngster scored a last-minute goal. And who other than Kevin De Bruyne for the assist?

Manchester City have scored 100+ goals against a single opponent for the very first time in history. Kevin De Bruyne’s goal marked the 100th strike against Newcastle United for City.

The clear Man of the match today was Kevin De Bruyne - the Belgian was subbed on in a tactical decision in place of Bernardo Silva. An amazing display of a goal within five touches of the ball, and an assist for young Oscar Bobb earned him the Man of the Match award.

Man City have scored 100+ goals against a single opponent in the Premier League for the very first time.

Kevin De Bruyne brings up the century against Newcastle. ??#NEWMCI pic.twitter.com/76JPkKMtqQ

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) January 13, 2024

In Kevin De Bruyne’s 21 minutes of play, one goal, one assist, and one game won.

As Bernardo SIlva struck the net for the Citizens first, it did not mean Newcastle would stay still. After recognizing arising problems, the 2-1 deficit for Guardiola’s men at half-time alerted the tactician. Silva’s substitution for De Bruyne, and Oscar Bobb’s introduction paid off as the two combined for the vital strike Man City were missing all game long.

Newcastle (1.31) 2-3 (3.11) Man City

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) January 13, 2024

Newcastle Untied: Dubravka 7.8, Burn 7.5, Botman 6.8, Schar 6.7, Trippier 6.7, Longstaff 6.0, Guimaraes 7.9, Miley 7.0, Gordon 7.8, Isak 7.3, Almiron 7.4.

Subs: Hall N/A

Manchester City: Ederson 5.6, Walker 7.4, Dias 6.7, Ake 6.3, Gvardiol 7.3, Rodri 8.1, Kovacic 7.2, Foden 7.5, Silva 8.0, Doku 6.2, Alvarez 7.7.

Subs: Ortega 5.4, De Bruyne 8.4, Bobb 7.5

Match highlights: Newcastle vs Manchester City LIVE