Two second-half goals from Harvey Barnes proved enough to give Newcastle a 2-1 win over City.
The Blues will feel hard done to, with at least two strong penalty claims denied by VAR and a number of good opportunities missed .
Barnes, guilty of missing two chances in the opening period, scored on 63 and 70 minutes - the second after a lengthy offside check coming two minutes after Ruben Dias had briefly levelled.
But despite a bright and lively display by City, ultimately it wasn’t enough against a Newcastle side who are far better than their current league position might suggest.
The game in 250 words
The teams might have gone in at the break with the score 0-0, but there could, and probably should have been four or five goals to reflect on.
Newcastle should have been ahead on 27 seconds, when Gianluigi Donnarumma’s risky pass to Phil Foden was intercepted on the edge of the City box, but Harvey Barnes saw his shot saved by our Italian stopper.
Then it was City’s turn to spurn a great opportunity as Jeremy Doku played Erling Haaland through but as Nick Pope rushed out, the Norwegian seemed to be in two minds and his attempt to curl it around the keeper from 30 yards went well wide.
On 13 minutes, Jacob Murphy found Nick Woltemade in the box and the towering German seemed certain to score, but his header was brilliantly turned away by Donnarumma.
Then, five minutes later, the first of three non-penalty awards for the Blues as Phil Foden saw a shot go wide but a late, clumsy challenge scythed him down.
A VAR check cleared the challenge.
Just past the half-hour, Barnes missed another guilt-edged chance as he fired wide with the goal gaping.
It was end to end and Haaland was again denied by Pope on 35, but perhaps our best move ended, once again with no reward as Foden and Cherki exchanged passes ending with Foden slicing inches wide.
Donnarumma made another superb save from Woltemade just before the hour, but just after it, Barnes fired the Magpies ahead with a low shot from 20 yards.
City levelled five minutes later as Dias squeezed a low shot home from close range, but Barnes struck again just two minutes later after a six-yard box scramble.
There were half-chances in the time that remained, but ultimately, it just wasn’t our day.
Line-ups
NEWCASTLE: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Thiaw, Hall (Botman 77), Guimaraes (C), Tonali, Joelinton, J. Murphy, Barnes (Elanga 85), Woltemade (Willock 85)
Subs: Ramsdale, Ruddy, A. Murphy, Ramsey, Neave, Miley
CITY: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Bernardo (Reijnders 77), Foden (Marmoush 77), Cherki (Bobb 77)i, Doku (Savinho 76), Haaland
Subs: Trafford,, Stones, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Khusanov
Attendance: 52,181
var misery for city
VAR decisions weren’t the sole reason City lost, but this could have been a very different outcome had borderline incidents gone our way.
Foden was caught late by Schar as he fired a shot away, but VAR saw no issue with the on-field decision.
Then Schar was again involved when a Doku shot hit his hand - raised to protect his face - but again nothing.
The third incident to be denied was when Dias was wrestled to the floor from a corner by a Newcastle defender.
The above points are not sour grapes, just highlighting moments where penalties have been awarded for other teams this season.
And the VAR award of Barnes’ winning goal seemed to indicate that he and Dias were level - almost too close to call, in fact
It was not our day with the VAR decisions, but hopefully these things even out over the season.
O’Reilly adding polish to solidity
Watching Nico O’Reilly’s progress will be a great source of pride for any City fan.
Our homegrown boyhood Blue came into the side as an emergency left-back but he seems to have grown in stature week by week.
Athletic, intelligent and powerful, against the Magpies he added some lovely flicks and tricks to get out of tight positions.
That, plus a number of well-timed challenges and a swashbuckling run into the box that should have become an assist as Haaland was denied by Pope at close range.
All in all, hugely impressive from the 20-year-old.
Pep reaction
Pep was speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day...
“Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had. It was entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn’t win.
On the first half being goalless: “Both keepers were good and after we missed chances. It was an entertaining game with many chances. We were closer in the beginning.”
On the second Newcastle goal: “It happened in the Bournemouth game and it happened today again. It is what it is after VAR decided. They know perfectly.”
On the frustration of dropping points: “Always but it is a football game and the opponent is playing and they played good too.”
On speaking to the referee at full time: “No questions, everything is fine.”
dias reaction
“It was difficult in all ways for both teams. It was a very intense game and chances both sides. We had loads of chances and didn’t score more and we have to do better there. They scored theirs and we have to do better.
“Everyone knows how strong they are at home. First game after internationals is a tricky one and we fought as well as we could.
“It’s always a period of adaptation. We simply have to do better.”
On the VAR calls: “I feel like the one in the first half with Phil [Foden] they said it was pretty clear but I don’t even go there. Of all the decisions, only the second goal we need to make it make sense. Where’s the sense in their player pushing our keeper out of the goal. What are we allowing and for how long? It’s more like sometimes you allow it and sometimes you don’t so what can you do? In the second goal Gigi (Donnarumma) is being pushed outside his area and there is no consequence.
“I have had a chance to see, I didn’t even see it out of the pitch. I had the chance to see the review and I think it is [Harvey] Barnes is pushing him away from the goal. We are so picky with certain contacts but then ones like this with the keeper, then they allow it. If this is the rule then fine. But then let us do the same. Back in the day it was a foul and now apparently it is allowed. It is one of them that when you lose people say you are trying to find excuses but today Newcastle were better. They deserved the win because of that. They were able to finish more chances than us. There needs to be a rule.”
On the end of the game: “We felt like we could finally push again. They are a strong side and then immediately after we scored, they went ahead again. By the end it was difficult to find spaces. We were fighting until the end but we keep on pushing.”
EDDIE HOWE REACTION
“We were playing the best team in the Premier League over the last God knows how long and our record against them has not been good.
“It’s a big response and we gave everything, which is what you have to do against City. We were really hard but fair, I felt we did everything we could to get that win.”
What it means...
City drop to third position in the Premier League table having missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea have leapfrogged the Blues into second spot.
Last updated: 22 November 2025
Up next
City take on Bayer Leverkusen in the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday, 25 November.
The game at the Etihad kicks off at 20:00 (UK)and a victory would edge the Blues closer to securing a top eight finish - and an automatic passage into the Round of 16.
GET CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TICKETS FOR CITY V LEVERKUSEN
After that, we host Leeds United in the Premier League.
The game, on Saturday, November 29, will kick-off at 15:00 (UK).
CITY VLEEDS UTS: GET YOUR TICKETS!
News about Newcastle v Man City
We gave everything – Pep
Pep Guardiola was satisfied with his team’s performance but frustrated with the final result after going down 2-1 at Newcastle United. Read more