Manchester City moved into the top four as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea’s defeat to Brighton on Friday night opened the door for City or Newcastle to move into the Champions League places and Pep Guardiola’s side burst through it in emphatic fashion.
Omar Marmoush scored his first goal for the club, running in behind and lifting a finish over Martin Dubravka, and there were two more to come as he netted a first-half hat-trick. The January signing drilled in a low finish at the near post with the help of a slight deflection, before guiding in a first-time strike from Savinho’s cut-back with just over half an hour played.
It was like the City of old in the second-half, dominating the ball and taking no real risks as they controlled proceedings, before James McAtee came off the bench to turn in from close range late on. There was a concern for City in the final minutes when Erling Haaland went down holding his knee and had to be replaced, but he took his place on the bench rather than going straight down the tunnel.
Man City vs Newcastle latest updates
- GOAL! Marmoush hat-trick before half-time
- GOAL! Double for Marmoush in first-half
- GOAL! Marmoush lifts man City in front
Man City 4-0 Newcastle
16:51 , Matt Verri90+3 mins: You will not be stunned to hear that Marmoush has been named player of the match.
No City goals before today - scored three in a little over 30 minutes in the first-half.
Man City 4-0 Newcastle
16:48 , Matt Verri90 mins: Four minutes added on at the Etihad.
Assuming that Haaland injury isn’t anything serious, it’s been near enough a perfect afternoon for City.
Man City 4-0 Newcastle
16:4687 mins: Haaland coming off, but he’s sat on the bench rather than going straight down the tunnel.
O’Reilly, Kovacic and Nunes all on, as Gundogan and Gvardiol also make way.
Man City 4-0 Newcastle
16:44 , Matt Verri86 mins: This, though, is a concern for City.
Haaland has gone down holding his knee, jarred it as he went to close down Schar.
Guardiola has his head in his hands.
GOAL! Man City 4-0 Newcastle | James McAtee 84'
16:42 , Matt VerriFour for City!
Corner fired in at the near post, Haaland flicks it on and McAtee is there in the middle to turn it home from close range.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:41 , Matt Verri83 mins: Doku skips away from Schar, plays the ball across the edge of the box to Savinho.
On his left foot, tries to bend a finish into the far corner but it’s deflected away.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:39 , Matt Verri81 mins: Schar goes down at the back post, did Gvardiol shove him over?
VAR has a quick look... play waved on.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:37 , Matt Verri78 mins: Newcastle barely getting a kick now, City cruising towards the finish line.
Passing it around at walking pace - Doku the one who looks like he wants to break into something a bit more exciting.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:34 , Matt Verri75 mins: Hall has had a fairly miserable afternoon up against Savinho.
Decides to get tight this time, effectively just launching the winger to the ground. Fair play, then tries to argue about that decision.
Two City changes - Marmoush and Foden off, Doku and McAtee on.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:30 , Matt Verri71 mins: For the second time in a couple of minutes, Gordon cuts inside onto his right foot and is about to make something happen... and the offside flag goes up.
He looks in disbelief at the assistant - replays suggest he was probably onside that time.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:28 , Matt Verri69 mins: This is a bit more City of old.
In the lead and so have no need to force the issue. Dominating the ball, working the ball side to side and taking no real risks.
Could have done with this on Tuesday night...
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:25 , Matt Verri66 mins: Burn gets fed up of Marmoush twisting him inside and out, so just bundles him over.
Fair few in Newcastle shirts wouldn’t be too devastated if the full-time whistle went 25 minutes early...
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:23 , Matt Verri64 mins: Newcastle have no answer to Ederson pinging these balls forward for Haaland. So exposed at the back.
The City captain hasn’t had a goal, but it’s been a much better all-round performance.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:18 , Matt Verri59 mins: As good a chance as Newcastle have had all match.
Ball fizzed into Miley’s path in the box, he has space for the shot but it’s straight at Ederson.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:16 , Matt Verri57 mins: Savinho knocks the ball 20 yards ahead of him and it’s a straight foot race with Hall... full-back sticks with him and slides in, great challenge.
City have looked so much more fluid in attack today.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:13 , Matt Verri55 mins: Burn takes too long in his own box, Haaland goes charging after him and wins the ball back.
Comes to Savinho, who has a tame effort from 20 yards out comfortably saved.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:12 , Matt Verri53 mins: Couple of corners in quick succession for Newcastle.
City threaten to break from the second of them, but Livramento is back just as the sky blue shirts were flooding forward.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:09 , Matt Verri50 mins: Guimaraes lunges in and catches Savinho.
Stays down hoping the ref will forget to book him, but eventually the Newcastle man has to get up and he is shown a yellow card.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
16:07 , Matt Verri48 mins: Bit better from Newcastle at the start of this half, but that’s a low bar.
Trippier and Willock were replaced at half-time, with Livramento and Miley introduced.
Back underway!
16:03 , Matt VerriUp and running in the second-half...
Around the grounds...
15:57 , Matt VerriSo far, so good for Man City and Bournemouth.
⏰ HALF-TIME ⏰
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 15, 2025
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⚪️ Fulham 1-1 Nott'm Forest 🌳
🏆 Man City 3-0 Newcastle ▣
👼 Southampton 0-2 Bournemouth 🍒
⚒ West Ham 0-1 Brentford 🐝 pic.twitter.com/PshIggx6Gf
HT: Man City 3-0 Newcastle
15:48 , Matt VerriAs good a first half as City have put together in a long time.
Omar Marmoush scored his first goal for the club and then added two more, in what has been a dominant display from the hosts.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
15:46 , Matt Verri45 mins: Just the one minute added on.
Gordon tries to whip a cross in, but Lewis does well to get out to him and block the cross.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
15:43 , Matt Verri42 mins: Newcastle are holding a high line - I’m not sure why.
There’s a crazy amount of space in behind, and Ederson is just acting like the quarterback, ready to play the long pass.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
15:39 , Matt Verri39 mins: Newcastle corner, as they look for something to take into the break. A goal now and there’s every chance City could start to doubt themselves.
It’s taken short, before Trippier then floats it to the back post. Guimaraes loops a header over.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
15:37 , Matt Verri36 mins: Savinho is just skipping past Hall at will.
Goes on the outside again, flashes the ball across the face of goal and nobody is there in a City shirt.
They would have had a tap-in.
Man City 3-0 Newcastle
15:36 , Matt Verri35 mins: Howe will not be able to believe how bad Newcastle have been off the ball.
City look like cutting them open every single time they attack.
GOAL! Man City 3-0 Newcastle | Omar Marmoush 33'
15:34 , Matt VerriGame over already?
Maybe not with the way City have been in recent weeks, but it’s a hat-trick for Marmoush with barely 30 minutes played!
Savinho goes on the outside down the right, cut back is perfectly into the path of Marmoush and he guides a first-time finish past Dubravka.
Man City 2-0 Newcastle
15:31 , Matt Verri30 mins: Out of nothing, Newcastle almost get one back.
City lose it deep in their own half, and Isak pounces to bring the ball into the box.
Onto his right foot, Stones deflects the shot wide.
Man City 2-0 Newcastle
15:30 , Matt Verri29 mins: Inches away from 3-0!
Haaland fires the ball across the face of goal, Burn slides in to deny Foden a tap-in... and just about manages to turn it wide.
So, so nearly an own goal.
Man City 2-0 Newcastle
15:29 , Matt Verri28 mins: City are threatening to blow Newcastle away.
It’s a lovely one-two between Foden and Savinho, before the Brazilian forces Dubravka into a sharp save.
Man City 2-0 Newcastle
15:27 , Matt Verri26 mins: This is a complete mess from Newcastle in defence.
Haaland now nearly gets in, but Dubravka reacts quickly to gather the ball in possession.
The good news for Newcastle is that Man City haven’t exactly been rock solid at holding leads this season... or this week.
GOAL! Man City 2-0 Newcastle | Omar Marmoush 24'
15:25 , Matt VerriAt the double!
City in real control now. This time Marmoush works it onto his right foot inside the box and reverses a finish in at the near post.
Dubravka can’t get down in time - might have taken a slight deflection.
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
15:23 , Matt Verri22 mins: Real chance for Newcastle, as Gordon shows good strength on the left.
He has so much space to drive into, before he tries to slide in Isak... Stones reads it and gets across.
Man City 1-0 Newcastle
15:22 , Matt Verri21 mins: City ran Chelsea ragged with a similar long-ball tactic and Newcastle were caught out a couple of times even before that goal.
The hosts invite the press, wait for the space to open up in behind and then back Haaland or Marmoush to get there.
GOAL! Man City 1-0 Newcastle | Omar Marmoush 19'
15:20 , Matt VerriSo, so simple!
It’s another assist for a goalkeeper. Ederson goes long, Trippier gets underneath it and Marmoush is clean through.
Just lifts the finish over Dubravka, who was left stranded.
Man City 0-0 Newcastle
15:17 , Matt Verri16 mins: A shot!
Marmoush has looked as bright as anyone and he works it nicely into the box, before slicing an effort high and wide from a tight angle.
Should probably have crossed it.
Man City 0-0 Newcastle
15:16 , Matt Verri15 mins: Still waiting for the first shot of the match.
Foden skips away from Schar, fires a low cross into the middle but Burn is there to hack the ball clear.
Man City 0-0 Newcastle
15:1211 mins: Away fans starting to make some noise, as Newcastle enjoy more and more of the ball.
Savinho then does brilliantly to skip into the area, brought it forward nearly from the halfway line.
Hall eventually slams the door shut.
Man City 0-0 Newcastle
15:09 , Matt Verri8 mins: There’s been nothing yet from Newcastle in attack, but that won’t bother them.
Dubravka has to rush off his line as Newcastle very nearly play themselves into trouble... launched 30 rows back into the stands.
Man City 0-0 Newcastle
15:06 , Matt Verri5 mins: Gvardiol lumps a ball over the top and Haaland is in.
Heavy touch as he drives into the box, allows Burn to slide in and turn the ball behind for a corner.
Man City 0-0 Newcastle
15:04 , Matt Verri3 mins: Newcastle happy to let Man City have the ball at the back.
Isak and Gordon are the two up front, ready to pounce at the first opportunity they get to counter.
KICK-OFF!
15:00 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running!
Here we go!
14:57 , Matt VerriTeams are out onto the pitch at the Etihad.
Erling Haaland leads Man City out, he has the captain’s armband this afternoon.
Guardiola on Man City struggles
14:49 , Matt VerriPep Guardiola admitted his side are no longer as comfortable on the ball as they once were.
It has been a frustrating season domestically and in Europe for Man City, with Guardiola believing there is more than one problem impacting his side.
"It's not one subject - if it was then it would be easy to solve it.
“We have always been so comfortable with the ball and now we are not so. You then have to rely on a physical presence and our physicality is not like other teams."
Not long now...
14:41 , Matt VerriWarm-ups continuing at the Etihad, with 20 minutes or so to go until kick-off.
Man City games have guaranteed fun in recent weeks, with both teams scoring in their last six games.
There’s been a 3-2, a 5-1, a 4-2... strap in!
Howe: Run of fixtures is season-defining
14:31 , Matt VerriEddie Howe was asked in his pre-match press conference if this is a good time to face Man City.
He avoided that question, but admitted it is a pivotal run for his Newcastle side, who next face Nottingham Forest and Liverpool.
“I am not focused on Man City, Pep will do that and I will leave it to him,” Howe said.
“For us every season is an opportunity to make new ground.
“We have done well in the cup competitions, now we need to look at the next two Premier League games. The next couple of games is probably season-defining for us.”
Elsewhere in the Premier League
14:22 , Matt VerriArsenal are going to move to within four points of Liverpool.
They are 2-0 up in stoppage-time against Leicester, and on the verge of a crucial win.
Mikel Merino off the bench as a striker to score twice - the answer to Arsenal’s problems in attack?!
Haaland vs Isak...
14:07 , Matt VerriAlexander Isak has probably been the Premier League’s best striker over the last couple of months.
He’s been in sensational form, with 17 goals already in the league this season.
Erling Haaland hasn’t quite been at his best in a struggling side... but he has still scored 19 Premier League goals!
Who will come out on top this afternoon?
Guardiola shuffles pack
13:56 , Matt VerriOmar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez both start for Man City this afternoon.
Phil Foden also back in the side, in the absence of Jack Grealish, with Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva on the bench.
John Stones back in defence, having started in midfield in midweek.
Newcastle team news
13:47 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
Subs: Pope, Barnes, Wilson, Livramento, Miley, Krafth, Longstaff, Osula, Targett
Man City team news
13:45 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Ederson, Lewis, Khusanov, Stones, Gvardiol, Nico, Gundogan, Foden, Marmoush, Savinho, Haaland
Subs: Ortega, Kovacic, Doku, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Reis, Nunes, O'Reilly, McAtee
Stand by...
13:41 , Matt VerriAll the team news from the Etihad coming up in the next few minutes.
Never an easy job guessing what Pep Guardiola is going to do...
Another setback for Guardiola's side...
13:33 , Matt VerriIt was a really painful defeat in midweek for Man City.
They were 2-1 up against Real Madrid with a few minutes of normal time remaining, but somehow found a way to lose 3-2.
Jude Bellingham struck the winner deep in stoppage-time.
Man City dominate head-to-head
13:24 , Matt VerriFairly decent record for Man City in this fixture.
They have lost at home to Newcastle in the Premier League since 2000 - almost hard to believe!
Today feels as good of a chance as they’ve had in a long, long time.
Big match in top-four race
13:14 , Matt VerriMan City and Newcastle sit level on 41 points, with the exact same goal difference too.
Pep Guardiola’s side are above Newcastle as a result of scoring six goals more.
Crucial match this afternoon - winner will move above Chelsea and into the top four.
Akanji set for surgery today
13:07 , Matt VerriManchester City defender Manuel Akanji is set to undergo surgery today and is facing up to 10 weeks out, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
Akanji suffered a knock in the first-half of Man City’s defeat to Real Madrid in midweek and such was the discomfort that he didn’t reappear for the second half.
There had been reports that the Switzerland international would miss the remainder of the season through injury, but Guardiola has revealed a timeline for the defender’s return.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, the Man City boss said: “Surgery on Saturday, eight to 10 weeks out. Abductor (injury) I think so, broken.
“We wish the best recovery for Manuel because the effort that he has done this season has been unbelievable because him and Nathan [Ake] as well have played in difficult conditions, not being in top [form] and to help the team in emergencies in the position we had in a lack of players in that position.
“In the end the body said ‘enough is enough’.”
Premier League rules deemed 'void' after Man City challenge
12:48 , Matt VerriThe Premier League's rules on commercial deals - prior to their amendment last November - have been declared "void and unenforceable" by an arbitration panel after a challenge by Manchester City.
The four-time champions sued the league over its associated party transaction (APT) rules last year with a panel declaring three aspects of them unlawful last October.
The APT rules seek to ensure deals done between clubs and entities linked to their owners are for fair market value.
The Premier League felt the October ruling required only discrete elements of the APT rules to be amended, which clubs duly voted to do a month later.
City's position in October was that the whole set of rules was void and that no "knee-jerk" changes should be made. Both sides sought clarification of the ruling from the original panel.
In its concluding remarks the panel stated: "The three respects in which the APT rules and amended APT rules were unlawful cannot be severed with the result that the APT rules as a whole are void and unenforceable."
Stage is set!
12:32 , Matt VerriCold, cloudy afternoon in Manchester...
Etihad Stadium 📍 pic.twitter.com/FMUqQAwuzJ
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 15, 2025
Man City vs Newcastle: Head to head (h2h) history and results
12:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMan City wins: 66
Draws: 36
Newcastle wins: 54
It finished all square in the reverse meeting earlier in the season but Man City have a strong record at home against the Magpies.
Man City vs Newcastle match odds
11:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneMan City to win: 4/5
Draw: 11/5
Newcastle to win: 9/4
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Standard Sport prediction
08:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneYou just never know what version of Man City is going to show up. They seemed to be back on track at the turn of the year, but the manner of recent defeats to Arsenal and Real Madrid proves how vulnerable they still are.
This is a tough game for City as Newcastle have the tools to punish them in transition but a share of the points seems likely.
2-2 draw
Howe: Man City are still the benchmark
Friday 14 February 2025 23:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNewcastle boss Eddie Howe insists Manchester City are still the benchmark in the Premier League despite the reigning champions not firing on all cylinders this season.
"We know it will be a very difficult game. They are still a very good team - for me they are still the benchmark," Howe told reporters on Friday.
"We will have to try and deliver our best performance to get the result we want from this match. They have a very good squad (and) have made some good additions in January. We need to produce in all aspects of our play to be competitive.
"It is going to be a great few weeks for us, a time to evaluate our strength and see how we are. This will be a pivotal stage of the Premier League season, a really defining few weeks for us."
Pep reveals reaction to Real Madrid loss
Friday 14 February 2025 20:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePep Guardiola has revealed how his Manchester City players have reacted to Tuesday night's defeat to Real Madrid.
Man City twice lead in the Champions League knockout phase playoff first-leg but ultimately fell to a 3-2 loss with Jude Bellingham netted an injury time winner for the holders.
It leaves City with a mountain to climb for next week's second leg in Spain but Guardiola has revealed the squad have no other option but to look ahead.
"We've recovered and move forward," he told reporters on Friday.
"The next hours and day after are difficult. But they have to be better."
Early Newcastle team news
Friday 14 February 2025 18:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNewcastle manager Eddie Howe has confirmed the latest on Anthony Gordon’s injury ahead of Saturday’s trip to Premier League champions, Manchester City.
The England forward missed his side’s dramatic 3-2 win over Birmingham in the FA Cup on Saturday night due to a thigh injury sustained as Newcastle beat Arsenal 2-0 to progress into the Carabao Cup final.
Howe’s side will no doubt back themselves to claim only their second-ever win at the Etihad Stadium, with Gordon likely to be crucial to their chances.
Early Man City team news
Friday 14 February 2025 15:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneManchester City defender Manuel Akanji is facing up to 10 weeks out, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
Akanji suffered a knock in the first-half of Man City’s defeat to Real Madrid in midweek and will miss Saturday's Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish and Nico Gonzalez are doubtful as City welcome the Carabao Cup finalists to the Etihad Stadium.
How to watch Manchester City vs Newcastle
Friday 14 February 2025 13:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live as it lands during the 3pm Saturday blackout.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from 5.15pm with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 22.25pm GMT on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Welcome
Friday 14 February 2025 11:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Manchester City vs Newcastle United from the Premier League.
Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is at 3pm GMT on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
Stick with us for all the build-up, action and reaction.
