Harvey Barnes Leads Newcastle to Historic Win Over Manchester City

Newcastle United secured a surprising 2-1 victory against Manchester City in the Premier League on October 21, 2023. The win marked a significant milestone for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, as it was his first triumph over City’s manager Pep Guardiola in league competition. Additionally, this was Newcastle’s first Premier League victory over Manchester City since January 2019, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination.

The match began at a slow pace, with both teams failing to find the net in the first half. The turning point came after the interval when Harvey Barnes scored the opener, expertly converting a pass from Bruno Guimaraes. Just minutes later, Ruben Dias equalized for Manchester City from a corner situation, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

Newcastle regained their lead shortly after, thanks to Barnes once again. He seized on a rebound after a header from teammate Nick Woltemade struck the crossbar, allowing Barnes to restore Newcastle’s advantage from close range. This goal, however, was met with controversy. Following a lengthy review, VAR confirmed the goal, dismissing potential offside claims against Barnes and Guimaraes. Questions were also raised regarding whether Gianluigi Donnarumma had been fouled in the lead-up to the goal, but officials found no basis for these claims.

Guardiola’s frustration was palpable after the match, as he engaged in a heated discussion with officials and had an intense exchange with Guimaraes. Similarly, Newcastle’s Joelinton appeared visibly upset, but it was unclear who his frustrations were directed towards.

Both teams had opportunities to score, with notable missed chances for City’s Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. Meanwhile, Barnes had a close-range effort saved by Donnarumma, who managed to keep his team in the game during tense moments.

After this victory, Newcastle United climbed to 14th place in the Premier League standings, amassing a total of 15 points from 12 matches. They have now recorded four wins this season. Manchester City, while still sitting third, suffered their fourth defeat of the season and remain just one point behind Chelsea.

In terms of stats, Newcastle had five shots on target from nine attempts, while Manchester City managed four shots on target from 17 attempts. The disparity was evident, with City making 43 appearances in the opposition box compared to Newcastle’s 15. According to statistics from Opta, Barnes became the first Newcastle player to score twice in a Premier League match against Manchester City since Alan Shearer achieved the feat in November 2003.

Barnes, making his 212th Premier League appearance, has now scored a total of 52 goals and provided 32 assists throughout his career. This season, he has found the back of the net three times in 12 appearances. Notably, this victory for Newcastle against Manchester City was only their second win in the last 36 league meetings between the two clubs. For Howe, this match signifies a long-awaited victory in the Premier League against Manchester City, marking his first win against Guardiola with a managerial record of one win, two draws, and 16 losses prior to this match.

As the season progresses, Newcastle will look to build on this momentum, while Manchester City will aim to bounce back after this unexpected setback.