Man City send message to Arsenal as Nico O'Reilly the hero vs Newcastle - 5 talking points

View 3 Images

A Nico O'Reilly-inspired Manchester City cut Arsenal 's lead at the top of the Premier League to two points with Saturday evening's win against Newcastle .

Pep Guardiola 's side were set on their way by the defender's second goal in as many games before fellow fullback Lewis Hall levelled matters with a deflected effort.

O'Reilly was not done there though as he headed home from Erling Haaland's cross. Dan Burn thought he had equalised but had a goal controversially chalked off.

The win sees City file down Arsenal's lead even further, while Newcastle sit tenth. Here are all of the talking points from the Etihad Stadium.

MAKE THE MIRROR YOUR FIRST CHOICE! Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Nico O'Reilly is developing a bit of a reputation of a goalscoring defender - and he got a further two against Newcastle . Following an excellent run from Omar Marmoush, the youngster found himself in acres of space.

It looked as though he would simply lay the ball off to Haaland but given the form he is in, he showed no appetite for that and lashed a thunderous effort past Nick Pope and into the back of the net.

He was then on the end of an excellent cross from the Norwegian striker to thump home a powerful header to restore City's lead. O'Reilly now has six goals this season having also scored against Fulham in City's last Premier League game.

View 3 Images

FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FB PAGE! Follow our Manchester City Mirror Football Facebook page

One of O'Reilly's rivals for the left-back berth in the England set-up is Newcastle defender Lewis Hall. In what has been a tricky season for Eddie Howe's side domestically, the 21-year-old has been a bright spot.

He gave supporters reason to celebrate at the Etihad as his deflected effort found the net via a deflection off of Matheus Nunes.

With defenders scoring being the theme of the evening, it looked as though Dan Burn had joined the party. The towering centre-half nodded a brilliant Sandro Tonali free kick home past the despairing Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The linesman's flag cut short his celebrations, with Burn clearly offside. VAR intervened and agreed with that decision, albeit it looked as though Burn was pushed into an offside position in the first place by Ruben Dias.

View 3 Images

Newcastle must dread going to the Etihad Stadium. The Magpies have not won away to City in the Premier League since 2000, while their last away goal was scored way back in 2018.

It should have been a different story this time around. Better finishing and a bit luck when it came to the Burn offside might have seen them secure at least a point but as it is, Newcastle departed empty handed once again.

This was far from a vintage City performance but all that matters are the points and that is exactly what Guardiola's side got.

Victory against Newcastle leaves them second and just two points behind Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title. The momentum is with City and it leaves the Gunners nervously looking over their shoulders ahead of Sunday's North London Derby.

Should City manage to win the league, this week might be reflected on the one that decided it.

Content cannot be displayed without consent