The Magpies fell behind in the opening stages at the Etihad Stadium following O'Reilly's clinical strike and despite levelling in swift fashion courtesy of Lewis Hall's deflected effort, the City midfielder's header quickly restored the hosts' lead. Despite an encouraging second half display, with Harvey Barnes going close to equalising in stoppage-time, Eddie Howe's side were unable to avoid a 13th consecutive defeat at the Etihad as their three-game winning streak on the road came to an end.    Newcastle trailed in the 14th minute as O'Reilly opened the scoring. After Omar Marmoush completed a dangerous run towards goal, the Egyptian teed up O'Reilly who lashed a powerful drive from the edge of the box beyond Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope. Anthony Gordon, who scored four first half goals in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League win against Qarabağ FK, went close to netting his 15th goal of the current campaign. After beating Marc Guéhi to a loose ball, the Liverpool-born forward cut inside before his fierce shot at goal was pushed away by Gianluigi Donnarumma before Rodri cleared the ball from the box. Malick Thiaw, on target against Qarabağ, went close to netting a third goal in his last four matches as the German defender rose from Kieran Trippier's in-swinging cross before his header was tipped over the crossbar by Donnarumma. Newcastle drew level in the 22nd minute as Hall scored his first Magpies goal since May 2024. After the City defence were unable to clear Sandro Tonali's initial corner, Jacob Ramsey teed up Hall on the edge of the box before the left-back's effort deflected kindly into the bottom right-hand corner. Newcastle, however, fell behind for a second time in the 27th minute as O'Reilly netted his and City's second goal of the night, rising high from Erling Haaland's lofted cross inside the box before heading the ball into the far right-hand corner. Gordon, leading the line for the visitors, took aim shortly after the half-hour mark but the 24-year-old's shot at goal inside the box flew straight towards Donnarumma, with the Italian goalkeeper comfortably holding.  Newcastle looked to have drawn level on the stroke of half-time as Dan Burn headed home from Sandro Tonali's inviting free-kick but the goal was disallowed after the centre-back was pushed into an offside position by Man City defender Rúben Dias. United were fortunate not to fall further behind before the break, with Erling Haaland firing wide before Marmoush saw a powerful strike from the edge of the box fly narrowly wide of the left-hand post. Hall went close to scoring his and United's second goal of the night as the 21-year-old's free-kick curled into the side-netting. Pope produced a key stop to prevent Antoine Semenyo from doubling City's advantage after the hour mark, with the Ghanian forward's low effort held by the Soham-born shot-stopper. Joelinton, introduced from the bench, aimed to draw his side on level terms in the closing stages but the Brazilian's speculative shot from range sailed wide of the left-hand post. Pope produced a strong stop to deny Phil Foden in stoppage-time as Haaland's initial effort was blocked by the Newcastle goalkeeper, who reacted quickly to turn the midfielder's vicious strike with his left foot. Barnes, who scored a brace in November's reverse fixture, went agonisingly close to netting a stoppage-time equaliser after the left winger's drive from the edge of the box was turned around the left-hand post by Donnarumma.

Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier (c), Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon (Will Osula 78), Malick Thiaw, Anthony Elanga (Jacob Murphy 78), Nick Woltemade (Joelinton 60), Joe Willock (Harvey Barnes 60), Dan Burn, Jacob Ramsey.

Subs not used: John Ruddy, Aaron Ramsdale, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave.