LIFT off for Newcastle United!
On Saturday (November 22), in the latest round of Premier League fixtures, Eddie Howe's Magpies trumped Pep Guardiola's Manchester City 2-1 at St James' Park.
An incredible result and, at a time of inconsistency and negativity, a needed boost for the management, squad and fans.
This was the response that supporters have been asking for; could it signal a turning point in the season?
### **A shift in momentum**
Following demoralising back-to-back defeats in the league, away to West Ham and Brentford respectively, after Saturday's unexpected win, Howe told PA that the players 'gave everything' and have 'rediscovered their edge'.
"We want to try to build momentum in our season, we want to try to build the confidence back to where it has been historically," he said.
"We can only do that by winning, and you’re looking for turning points and moments in which you can direct your season where you want it to go.
"The West Ham and Brentford games were where we don’t want to be, and the feeling was as bad as I’ve experienced. But then you’re just looking for some positive the other way, and we got it today; the lads fully deserved it."
It was just Newcastle's second win in 36 Premier League games - and 20 years - against City, and Howe’s first league win over the Citizens in 19 attempts as a manager.
Harvey Barnes was Newcastle's hero against City _(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)_
When looking at the fixture list, Newcastle is one of many teams to groan when facing the prospect of playing Sheikh Mansour's Manchester City-owned team over the last 15 years.
Although the games have become tighter and more competitive since Howe took the helm in November 2021, City have still recorded one 5-0 and two 4-0 drubbings in that time, with one of the latter results coming as recently as February 2025.
Although Newcastle aren't a powerhouse on the level of City, Arsenal and Liverpool just yet, to break the City curse and beat Guardiola's side at a hugely trying time, off the back of two of the worst league performances under Howe, was an illustration that this team still has the drive and mentality needed to compete against the big boys and turn this season around.
### 10s all over the pitch
To beat City is one thing, but to do it in the assured manner that Newcastle did is an entirely different beast. Let's not forget, City were seven games unbeaten in all competitions and on a four-game winning streak in the Premier League.
Despite only having 33 per cent possession and nine shots to City's 17, Newcastle had five shots on target to the Citizens' four and an xG of 2.24 to 1.88.
Coming off the back of two dismal league performances, which produced a scarcity of chances, a big reason for Newcastle's change in fortunes at the weekend was their alterations in defence.
The impact of welcoming dynamic fullbacks Lewis Hall, 21, and Tino Livramento, 23, back into the starting line-up, after both returned following separate injury troubles, can't be underestimated.
On the day, the England starlets ran themselves into the ground - injecting pace, energy, width, and further attacking options into what, in previous weeks, has been an uncharacteristically slow and rigid back line.
As well as adding more attacking flair, their speed - particularly when measured in one-on-one situations against City's Rayan Cherki and Jérémy Doku - was fundamental to shutting down Guardiola's team, Newcastle's ability to perform quick turnovers and their overall performance and result.
That isn't to say that Newcastle didn't have excellent performers in other areas of the pitch. Malick Thiaw was again imperious at the back and a big reason Newcastle nullified the inform Erling Haaland.
Thiaw won his battle against Haaland _(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)_
After coming under criticism, including from myself, Bruno Guimaraes displayed exactly why he is Newcastle's captain, with a calm and resolute performance, capped off with brilliant involvement in both of Newcastle's goals.
In an area where they have been struggling, it was brilliant to see Newcastle's two wingers perform to excellent levels on the day.
Jacob Murphy was a constant threat down the right, and despite his shortcomings, has to be considered one of the best crossers in the league. It's hard to argue against Livramento's post-match analysis of him as 'underrated' - 'criminally underrated' would be more fitting.
And the hero of the day, Harvey Barnes, took his tally to three goals in two games, with two imperative goals against City, including a superb first to get the ball rolling. The Scotland calls are coming, and I, like the overwhelming majority of Newcastle fans, would love to see him at the World Cup. Take note, Steve Clarke!
Ahead of a huge run of fixtures, which sees the Magpies play eight times in December, that monumental win against City should have Howe quipping Al Pacino's iconic Godfather line: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"