O’Reilly doubles up as Manchester City sink Newcastle to keep up title chase

Manchester City moved to 56 points and a goal difference of 31 as Nico O’Reilly’s first-half double secured a 2-1 win over Newcastle. Lewis Hall had briefly levelled for the visitors, and Rayan Aït-Nouri’s late miskick allowed Nick Pope to gather, but City still completed a 17th consecutive home league victory over Eddie Howe’s side.

The result keeps City timing their title run-in perfectly, giving Pep Guardiola a fine chance of a seventh title in a decade and prolonging the tussle with Arsenal. The final run of fixtures for both clubs promises to be decisive: by early Sunday evening Mikel Arteta’s side will be down to 10 games and 30 points to play for after they travel to Tottenham, where a win would stretch their advantage, but City’s victory means the margin is now just two points.

The opening goal followed a loose touch by Dan Burn, which allowed Omar Marmoush to burst forward and slide the ball left for O’Reilly to fire past Pope, the keeper only brushing the ball.

manchester city, newcastle, nico o'reilly, pep guardiola, eddie howe, arsenal, mikel arteta, nick pope, lewis hall, title race