We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 2 Manchester City 1.
What a game, and what a result!
This was our best display of the season, and it wasn’t like Man City played badly. Everyone in black and white had to concentrate all game and graft all game. And they did.
We could / should have scored four in the first half, when you miss good chances against a team like Man City, the likelihood is you’ll be on the wrong end of the final score. And we spent a long time with eleven men behind the ball in the second half, as Man City set up camp in our half.
But we weren’t afraid of Man City, we didn’t offer them too many chances, and when we broke, we broke with pace and precision. Harvey Barnes scored from a more difficult position than those he fluffed his lines from first half. Then – as if to prove the cliché that you are at your most vulnerable when you score – Man City went up the other end and got an equaliser. I wouldn’t attach any blame to our defence – we threw bodies in the way of the strike, but it deflected into our net.
At West Ham and Brentford, this was the point at which confidence and composure deserted Newcastle, so the smart money would have been put on a Man City victory.
But not only did Newcastle United refuse to buckle, they continued to believe they could win the game. And win they did, with an improvised finish from Barnes to give him his second.
There was plenty of Man City pressure to deal with after that, but the Citizens couldn’t find a way through. They ended up whining, frustrated and defeated. It’s worth pointing out that there is no striker in the world in better form than Erling Haaland right now. Newcastle United’s defence made him look second-rate.
Marseille away on Tuesday will be a test for tired legs, but after this performance, the lads will believe they can beat anyone. Howay the lads!
Nick Pope 8
Had to make a couple of good saves but it wasn’t as if City peppered his goal. His distribution was a little better and he put in a good, solid performance. Couldn’t be blamed for their goal.
Tino Livramento 9
Fantastic to see him back and to get 90 minutes out of him was remarkable.
He was good in defence against a red-hot Doku and he got up the park well and often. He is such a good player.
Malick Thiaw 10
I love Tonali, I love Woltemade, I love Bruno, but this fella is my player of the season so far and my player of the match today.
So assured on the ball, so quick, so clever, and so good against a beast like Haaland. The bargain of the season at £30m.
Fabian Schar 8
I was a bit surprised to see him starting but he did not let us down.
Up for the battle – and it was a battle – very disciplined, and decent on the ball.
Could have gifted Man City a penalty but VAR came to his rescue.
Lewis Hall 9
I could cut my comments on Livramento and paste them in here.
Great in defence, fit and fast enough to push Newcastle up the park.
Gave Barnes confidence and support. So good to have our full backs back.
Bruno Guimaraes 9
We won the midfield today.
Bruno was all energy, quick reactions and unquenchable desire.
When Eddie made him captain all those years ago, I questioned the decision. Displays like this show why our manager was correct.
Sandro Tonali 9
Another star in black and white.
So quick to dispossess the Man City midfield, exceptionally disciplined when our backs were against the wall, and a refusal to waste the ball when he had it.
Joelinton 8
Wanted to chin someone at the end of the game – I know not why – but managed to keep his composure during the game itself.
Very combative, very physical, and decent when he had the ball. Drove us forward well.
Jacob Murphy 8
Got quick balls into the box. It’s what Murphy does.
With better finishing and worse goalkeeping, he would have had three or four assists. I wonder if the penny is dropping for a certain rat in a Liverpool shirt.
Then when Hall went off, Eddie asked him to play left back – left flipping back – and he acquitted himself well there without complaint.
Nick Woltemade 8
Played well, in my opinion, although he spurned two or three presentable chances.
In a game like this, a centre forward is not going to see a lot of the ball in attacking positions, but he did OK when he had it.
And he was crucial in helping to keep Man City at bay when they were camped around our area
Harvey Barnes 9
Looked happy to have Lewis Hall working the flank with him and looked a threat all game.
Had he scored from the two chances he had first half, I’d give him 11/10, but it was good that he didn’t dwell on those.
Got our two goals – from more difficult positions – and can sleep soundly in the knowledge that we didn’t miss Anthony Gordon at all
Harvey Barnes Newcastle Goal Donnarumma Manchester City
SUBS:
Sven Botman 7
Had a bit of a meltdown at Brentford – which explains why Schar started – but was focused and assured today.
Never gave Man City a sniff.
Anthony Elanga N/A
Not on long enough to give a mark to, but… I sit quite close to the dugout, and saw Eddie and Jason giving him instructions for around five minutes before he came on.
Then they were both screaming and waving at him within a minute or two of him getting on the park, pointing at the Man City player (Gvardiol) he was meant to shadow in defence. It was about as animated as I’ve seen Eddie Howe, so there must still be work to do with this lad.
Joe Willock N/A
Not on long enough to give a mark to and hardly noticed him, that’s a compliment when you are defending a 2-1 lead against one of the best sides in the world.
Newcastle 2 Manchester City 1 – Saturday 22 November 2025 5.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Newcastle United :
Barnes 63, 70
Man City:
Dias 68
Possession was Newcastle 32% Man City 68%
Total shots were Newcastle 9 Man City 17
Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Man City 4
Corners were Newcastle 5 Man City 9
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 15 Man City 41
Newcastle team v Man City:
Pope, Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Hall (Botman 77), Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade (Willock 85), Barnes (Elanga 85)
Subs:
Ramsdale, Ruddy, Alex Murphy, Neave, Miley, Ramsey