Sports

Man City thrash Newcastle to reduce Arsenal’s lead by two points

Published

7 months ago

February 22, 2026

Admin

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/manchester-city-vs-newcastle-1000x600.jpg&description=Man City thrash Newcastle to reduce Arsenal’s lead by two points', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/manchester-city-vs-newcastle-1000x600.jpg&description=Man City thrash Newcastle to reduce Arsenal’s lead by two points', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

ADVERTISEMENT

Manchester City stepped up their Premier League title charge as Nico O’Reilly’s double sealed a vital 2-1 win against Newcastle on Saturday.

O’Reilly put City ahead in the first half at the Etihad Stadium and restored their lead after Lewis Hall had equalised.

Pep Guardiola’s side weren’t at their best but they held on for a victory that moved them within two points of leaders Arsenal.

The Gunners travel to Tottenham on Sunday, but regardless of the result in the north London derby, City controls the destiny of the title.

They will have a game in hand on Arsenal after this weekend and host Mikel Arteta’s men in April, with 11 wins from their last 11 matches guaranteed to secure the seventh title of Guardiola’s reign.

Guardiola had claimed on Friday that he “couldn’t care less” about Arsenal’s recent stumble breathing new life into the title race.

But while Arsenal have spluttered with two wins from their last seven league games, City are heating up at just the right time.

A fifth successive win in all competitions extended their unbeaten run to eight games.

This was the fourth meeting between City and Newcastle already this season, with a fifth on the way in the last 16 of the FA Cup next month.

Newcastle had never managed a win in 20 previous visits to the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League, also losing there in the League Cup semi-finals this season.

Drained by a 5,000-mile round trip to Baku for their Champions League play-off first leg against Qarabag on Wednesday, Newcastle had persuaded the Premier League to move their trip to Manchester to Saturday evening from its original early slot.

Tense finale

City wasted little time testing Newcastle’s fatigue levels with a vibrant start.

Their early pressure paid off with an eye-catching opener in the 14th minute.

After Erling Haaland flicked the ball into Omar Marmoush, the Egyptian played a clever pass towards O’Reilly, who advanced to the edge of the area and planted a powerful finish past Nick Pope.

Anthony Gordon scored four times in Newcastle’s 6-1 rout of Qarabag and the England forward threatened an immediate equaliser with a stinging strike that Gianluigi Donnarumma palmed away.

Far too open at the back throughout the game, City were caught by a sucker punch in the 22nd minute.

They made a hash of clearing a corner and Hall pounced with a drive from the edge of the area that took a hefty deflection off City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri on its way past the wrong-footed Donnarumma.

Guardiola’s men hit back, retaking the lead five minutes later.

Picked out by Antoine Semenyo, Haaland lofted a superb cross into the Newcastle area and O’Reilly timed his run perfectly to thump a downwards header past Pope from close range.

Yet Hall went close to a second equaliser after the interval, curling narrowly wide with an audacious effort that drew an admiring thumbs-up from Donnarumma.

Guardiola grew frustrated with City’s failure to kill off Newcastle, urging his players to “keep the ball better” as he stalked the touchline.

The City manager’s blood pressure spiked again when Semenyo shot tamely at Pope from a good position, but City survived the tense finale to keep the pressure on Arsenal.

AFP

Sports

Maresca Names Ruben And Haaland As Manchester City Captains

Published

6 hours ago

September 5, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

Manchester City have named Ruben Dias as their new captain, with Erling Haaland, Marc Guehi and Gianluigi Donnarumma also included in the club’s leadership group.

Dias takes over from Bernardo Silva, who left City during the summer. The Portugal defender will lead the team, while Haaland, Guehi and Donnarumma will take on additional leadership responsibilities as City continue life under new manager, Enzo Maresca.

The announcement was made by coach Maresca earlier today, September 4, with the four players chosen for their experience and influence within the squad. Maresca previously named Enzo Fernandez as captain during their time together at Chelsea, but Dias will now wear the armband at the Etihad Stadium.

Maresca also spoke about Fernandez’s arrival at City after the Argentina international completed a joint-British record £125 million move from Chelsea on deadline day. He said several City players were keen to see the midfielder join the club because of his winning mentality and experience.

“I know Enzo quite well and I know what he can bring to the team,” Maresca said. “He is a winner, a winner’s mentality and knows how to win [after] the World Cup, Club World Cup.”

The manager added: “I can promise you that in the last four or five days four or five players from the squad were asking if he is coming or not because they want him to be with us.”

Fernandez could make his City debut against newly promoted Coventry City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. His transfer formed part of City’s record £458 million spending spree, which also included Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso said the club had handled Fernandez’s departure respectfully and was now focused on moving forward.

“In football many things happen. With Enzo we have had conversations and always with respect. What he has done for the club has been great, but now it’s time to move forward,” Alonso said.

Sports

Turkey: Galatasaray coach, Okan Buruk gives injury update on Osimhen, Mario Lemina

Published

7 hours ago

September 5, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk, has provided the latest injury update on two of his players, Victor Osimhen and Mario Lemina.

Speaking to beIN Sports after Galatasaray defeated Başakşehir 3-2 in the Turkish Super Lig encounter on Friday, Buruk said Lemina and Osimhen sustained a groin injury.

According to him, both players will need to do MRIs, and hopefully, they can be ready for the upcoming Champions League match.

“Lemina had a slight groin pain in training yesterday. Osimhen also felt it today,” Buruk said.

Sports

Victor Osimhen Named Among Best Three Strikers In Europe

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

Ex- Sierra Leone international Michael Lahoud has placed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen among the best three forwards currently playing in Europe.

Lahoud made the assessment while discussing Galatasaray’s prospects in the UEFA Champions League, expressing confidence that the Turkish giants have enough attacking quality to make a strong impression in the competition.

According to the former midfielder, Osimhen’s goalscoring ability, combined with the arrival of Portuguese star Rafael Leao, gives Galatasaray a major attacking advantage as they prepare for their Champions League campaign.

Lahoud argued that Osimhen belongs in the same conversation as some of the biggest names in world football, including England captain Harry Kane and France superstar Kylian Mbappe.

“Galatasaray has arguably the best striker in Europe right now alongside Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Victor Osimhen,” Lahoud said on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Lahoud Backs Galatasaray for Champions League Success

The former Sierra Leone international believes Galatasaray’s attacking options could make them one of the teams to watch during the Champions League league phase.

He particularly highlighted the combination of Osimhen and Leao, describing the Portuguese winger as a potential game-changer for the Turkish club.

Lahoud said the presence of Leao could provide Galatasaray with an additional attacking dimension, particularly in matches against some of Europe’s established clubs.

“I stand on business when I say that the numbers don’t lie when it comes to the Champions League. But the fact that Galatasaray have Rafael Leao, I think that becomes a real X factor,” he stated.

Lahoud went as far as predicting that Galatasaray would finish among the top eight teams at the end of the Champions League league phase.

“Galatasaray will finish the Champions League league phase in the top eight this season,” he added.

Osimhen Remains Key to Galatasaray’s Ambitions

Osimhen is expected to play a central role in Galatasaray’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe, with the Nigerian forward having established himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in European football.

His pace, physical strength, movement and ability to score from different situations have made him a major attacking threat, while his Champions League experience is also expected to be valuable to the Turkish champions.

With Leao now providing another major attacking option, Galatasaray will hope their star-studded forward line can help them compete against Europe’s elite.

Lahoud’s prediction will also raise expectations around Osimhen, particularly among Nigerian football fans who will be hoping the Super Eagles striker can continue to deliver at the highest level on the European stage.