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

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.

• This season, Newcastle has the highest number of clean sheets in the Premier League with 7.
• With 2.5 goals scored per game, Manchester City holds the first rank.

Erling Haaland, the competition's current top goalscorer, was absent in the match between Newcastle and Manchester City due to a long-term injury.

Due to an earlier injury that slowed down Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden started the game in the critical attacking midfield position for Man City. Regardless, De Bruyne still made an appearance on the bench at St James Park.

Newcastle’s early hope was dashed when Longstaff’s goal was disallowed for offside, a decision by Chris Kavanagh that the Geordies negatively received.

An offside call that came late resulted in a collision between Ederson and Kyle Walker, prematurely ending the match for the Brazilian goalkeeper. Stefan Ortega was brought onto 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 apparently lost their composure following a refusal to acknowledge a foul on Gordon during city’s setup play, resulting in some rough play emerging.

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 appeared to shift as Manchester City seemed more hot-headed than usual. Newcastle capitalized on the disorder with aggressive and physical forward play.

Newcastle effectively handled the pressure from Manchester City. Despite the visitor’s expected goals (xG) of 1.09, the score did not reflect this, with the citizens scoring only one goal.

By the 64th minute, City had controlled the ball 72% of the time, yet they had not managed to score. The Geordies definitely made the Premier League champions fight hard for it.

In the 69th minute, a tactical decision was made to bring Kevin De Bruyne onto the field, allowing Bernardo Silva to rest and the Belgian midfielder to return to play.

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.

Kevin De Bruyne made an impact on the game with just five touches. He kept creating more opportunities for City, which took Newcastle by surprise and left them looking anxious 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 descended into chaos when the young player netted a last-minute goal. Who else could have assisted but Kevin De Bruyne?

For the first time in history, Manchester City have netted over 100 goals against a single adversary. Kevin De Bruyne’s goal signified City’s 100th strike against Newcastle United.

Kevin De Bruyne was indisputably the Man of the Match today. The Belgian player was tactically substituted in for Bernardo Silva. With an impressive performance, including a goal within just five touches of the ball and an assist for Oscar Bobb, he clinched the Man of the Match award.

For the first time in the Premier League, Man City have netted over 100 goals against a single opponent.

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.

Bernardo Silva scored the first goal for Manchester City, but that did not guarantee Newcastle United’s inaction. The realization of emerging challenges and a 2-1 trailing score at half-time for Guardiola’s squad prompted strategic changes. The decision to replace Silva with De Bruyne, and introduce Oscar Bobb proved fruitful. The duo teamed up to deliver the crucial goal that Man City had been missing for the entire game.

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