Three things we learned – Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United

Manchester Metropolis beat Newcastle United on the Etihad Stadium to shut the hole to Premier League leaders Arsenal down to 2 factors.

Nico O’Reilly’s brace, both facet of a Lewis Corridor equaliser, was sufficient for the Blues to earn a significant three factors within the Premier League title race.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made a superb stoppage time save, however most would agree that it could’ve been harsh on the hosts if Newcastle had come away with some extent having been second greatest all through, significantly within the first half.

Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur meant they moved 5 factors away from Pep Guardiola’s facet, however Metropolis have a sport in hand over the Gunners.

Listed here are three issues we realized as Metropolis edged previous the Magpies:

Haaland’s all spherical sport is enhancing

Erling Haaland’s floated proper footed cross completely set as much as be nodded residence by O’Reilly was an indication that he doesn’t fairly get the popularity he deserves with regard to his entire sport.

Metropolis’s quantity 9 is robust and has improved within the air, making him the best profile for a goal man. He battled one vs one with Dan Burn all through the sport and got here out on prime within the overwhelming majority of duels.

His playmaking and footwork has additionally taken a current upturn. He appears to have extra of an eye fixed for teammates and is executing extra of his passes, and in addition appears to be extra snug driving with the ball on the opposition backline.

His help was the least he deserved, in what most individuals agree was his greatest sport for the membership through which he didn’t add his personal identify to the scoresheet.

O’Reilly is the primary identify on the teamsheet

On the coronary heart of Metropolis’s midfield, O’Reilly is prospering as he goes from energy to energy.

Nonetheless solely 20, the Metropolis academy graduate is undroppable in the meanwhile as he delivers glorious efficiency after glorious efficiency wherever he performs.

Up till Rayan Ait-Nouri’s run within the group, he was first alternative left again – then was capable of struggle off competitors from the likes of Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders to develop into an everyday starter in midfield.

He took each his objectives effectively towards the Magpies and gives a lot in midfield together with Rodri and Bernardo Silva.

It’s positively Metropolis’s greatest trio in the meanwhile and may stay so for the foreseeable future, as harsh as which may be on high quality gamers in Reijnders and Foden.

Depth at centre again is unbelievable

However pretty much as good because the depth in midfield is, the array of centre backs at Metropolis’s disposal is one thing else.

Many would’ve stated firstly of this season that Josko Gvardiol was Metropolis’s greatest centre again. The Croatian defender appears to be like set to overlook most, if not all, of the remainder of the season as he recovers from a leg break.

Metropolis responded by signing Marc Guehi in January, and what a signing he’s turned out to be. The previous Crystal Palace captain has slotted in seamlessly and will likely be a key a part of the subsequent few years.

Abdukodir Khusanov has refined his sport so much and put in a implausible second half show rather than Ruben Dias, who regardless of being changed at half time for tactical causes stays a significant a part of the Metropolis mission.

And we will’t overlook about John Stones and Nathan Ake both. Each are most likely going to depart in the summertime however they continue to be high quality footballers who can contribute for the remainder of the season.

Max Alleyne’s minutes have been restricted by the signing of Guehi and Stones and Dias returning to health, while there are promising younger centre backs out on mortgage within the form of Vitor Reis, Stephen Mfuni and Juma Bah.

Accidents meant it was considered one of Metropolis’s weakest areas final 12 months, however now it seems Metropolis are arrange effectively in that place for the subsequent few years.