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For Eddie Howe, facing Manchester City has often been a gloomy affair, but this time, a long-awaited victory brought a splash of color to his day. After 19 attempts in the Premier League, Howe finally tasted triumph over the formidable Sky Blues.
Before the match, the Newcastle manager chuckled when reminded of his winless streak against City. However, by the end of the game, his expression had transformed into a broad grin, reflecting the joy of breaking that streak. Following disappointing losses to West Ham and Brentford, and a period of reflection during the international break, this victory was a much-needed boost for him.
Despite a week of freezing temperatures on Tyneside, it was Pep Guardiola’s team that faced the real chill, as they were overpowered by Howe’s revitalized squad. Newcastle, who appeared to be slipping toward the relegation zone just a few weeks ago, now have their sights set on the top four. Meanwhile, for Manchester City, securing a Champions League spot might be their most realistic aim this season, especially with Arsenal potentially extending their lead if they overcome Tottenham on Sunday.
The match was a thrilling encounter, packed with action and three goals in a rapid six-minute span. Yet, it was Newcastle who emerged as deserving winners. Bruno Guimaraes was the standout performer, his commanding display rightly earning him accolades.
However, it was Harvey Barnes who stole the show by the final whistle. After Howe received his due applause, it was Barnes, with his two decisive goals, who captured the fans’ adoration. This outcome seemed unlikely at halftime, given Barnes had missed two excellent opportunities, and it looked as though he might be cast as the day’s unfortunate figure.
At the 19th attempt in the Premier League, this was Howe’s first victory over Manchester City
The visitors more than contributed to an intriguing encounter bursting with incident
Newcastle, though, came out for the second half motivated still further and led on 64 minutes when Guimaraes bulldozed his way through midfield and teed up Barnes, who guided into the bottom corner from 20 yards. Fittingly, it was his hardest chance of the night.
City were soon level when Ruben Dias smashed through bodies after the ball dropped kindly amid the aftermath of a corner. Parity, though, lasted just 90 seconds, even if it took four minutes of VAR debate to award what proved to be the winner.
Guimaraes headed against the crossbar from two yards out, stretching to connect with Nick Woltemade’s far-post return, and Barnes reacted quickest to hook in. The Brazilian looked offside but, after much deliberation, his boots were deemed one size inside the green line.
That we have reached this point and not mentioned Erling Haaland, who remains on 99 Premier League goals, says much for the efforts of Malick Thiaw in Newcastle’s backline. City’s formidable striker met his match in the German.
‘The heart, energy and athleticism was there from all of our players,’ said Howe. ‘A lot came together and I’m delighted for the players. We want to try and build momentum and confidence in our season. You’re looking for turning points (and this could be one).’
That this game got through the first 45 minutes without a goal was a mystery – and Barnes will never know how he missed the easiest chance of the half. He must have thought he would not get one as good as the opportunity that presented itself inside 30 seconds, when he shot tamely at Gianluigi Donnarumma after a kicking error by the City goalkeeper.
But half an hour later, with the goal unguarded, he somehow crashed Jacob Murphy’s skidding cross into the hoardings. It was no advertisement for a finisher normally so assured.
By now, St James’ Park was fizzing – it had been fretting half an hour earlier. The noise on kick-off was not one of ale-induced optimism. Rather, it felt as if the extra couple of hours in the pub were used to calm the nerves, especially as the league table relayed on screens at 5pm had Newcastle one point above the bottom three.
Erling Haaland, who remains on 99 Premier League goals, was kept quiet by Malick Thiaw
The hosts emerged for the second half motivated still further and they led on 64 minutes when Guimaraes forced his way through midfield and teed up Barnes, who guided into the corner
Such anxiety resurfaced when Newcastle were fortunate to escape the concession of a penalty in the 17th minute. Jeremy Doku slipped Phil Foden clear on goal and, anticipating the sliding challenge of Fabian Schar, the City midfielder hastily stabbed his shot into the low rows.
But it was too late for Schar to divert and he sent Foden into a tailspin. It looked like a penalty in real time and on replays. Not so in Stockley Park. City were still seething from that non-award when another VAR check denied them a penalty for a Thaiw handball, this time with valid reason.
There were other City chances – Haaland clear and spooning wide, the Norwegian denied by Nick Pope’s chest after a snap shot from close range and Foden steering beyond the post from eight yards after a crafty exchange with Rayan Cherki.
Had one of those gone in it may have been another dark day for Howe against Guardiola. Instead, Newcastle and their head coach emerged from this wild night feeling as if a cloud had finally lifted.