Newcastle United secured a vital 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday, November 22, 2025, with a quickfire second-half brace from Harvey Barnes proving the difference in a thrilling and controversial encounter. The win was a landmark moment for Magpies boss Eddie Howe, who claimed his first-ever Premier League win over Pep Guardiola at the 17th attempt. The match was an end-to-end affair from the start, though the first half inexplicably ended goalless despite a slew of missed opportunities. Both sides spurned "big chances," with Barnes himself missing an open goal and City's Erling Haaland and Phil Foden also failing to convert. Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and City's Gianluigi Donnarumma were both called into action repeatedly to keep the score level. The game exploded into life in the 63rd minute. Following a poor clearance, Bruno Guimarães exchanged passes with Barnes on the edge of the box, and the winger drilled a low, hard shot past Donnarumma to break the deadlock. Newcastle's lead was short-lived, however. Just five minutes later, City equalized when a corner was not fully cleared and Rúben Dias's effort found its way through a crowded penalty area and into the net. The drama continued as, less than two minutes after City's equalizer, Newcastle restored their lead. A goalmouth scramble ensued after Guimarães's header hit the crossbar, and Barnes reacted quickest to stab home his second goal from close range. The goal survived a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside and a possible foul on Donnarumma, a decision that left City's players and manager furious. City pushed hard for an equalizer during eight minutes of added time but Newcastle held firm, displaying a resilience that pleased manager Howe after recent back-to-back defeats. The result moves Newcastle up to 14th in the table, providing a much-needed lift, while denting Manchester City's title challenge, leaving them four points behind leaders Arsenal.
Related article - Uphorial Shopify
Newcastle United
