BOBB CUTS IT FINE
Late Oscar winner fires warning to rivals as De Bruyne runs riot
KEVIN DE BRUYNE only needed just over 20 minutes – but it was enough to give Manchester City the look of champions.
De Bruyne came off the bench to score an equaliser and then set up an injury-time winner for Oscar Bobb with a pass of exquisite brilliance as City cut Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to two points.
This could prove to be a definitive day in the title race.
This was De Bruyne’s first Premier League appearance since undergoing surgery to repair the hamstring he ruptured on the opening weekend of the season.
But with City trailing and the clock ticking, he rose off the substitutes’ bench to turn the game for his team.
And the Blues still have Erling Haaland and John Stones to return.
They will jet off for some warm weather training believing they can make more history by following up last season’s Treble by becoming the first team to be English champions in four successive seasons.
With De Bruyne purring, anything is possible.
Eddie Howe’s Toon really forced City to push through the pain barrier.
Newcastle hit back after Bernardo Silva had brilliantly flicked the visitors ahead to lead at the break through stunning strikes from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
City boss Pep Guardiola was not happy when he lost keeper Ederson after eight minutes with a knee injury sustained in a collision with team-mate Kyle Walker caused by a delayed offside flag.
Stones is still sidelined after being crocked in similar circumstances.
Isak’s pace and canny movement meant the home side were always a threat. He could have bagged a firsthalf hat-trick.
Silva should have done better than send a half-volley over with City’s first opportunity. But when he sneaked forward again in the 26th minute after Rodri’s switch of play had given Walker time and space to pick out the Portuguese midfielder with a low cross, his instinctive flick
flew past Martin Dubravka. Newcastle complained that Ruben Dias had fouled Gordon.
But rather than feel sorry for themselves, Howe’s men sought the right kind of retribution.
City went close again when Dubravka tipped Silva’s volley against the angle of post and crossbar. But
Toon were level in the 35th minute when Bruno Guimaraes sensed Isak’s run forward and found him with a lovely, lofted pass.
Walker was covering Isak, but he cut inside the full-back to beat City’s No.2 keeper Stefan Ortega with a sensational curling finish from 20 yards. The eruption around St James’
Park had not subsided when Gordon (right) produced an identical finish two minutes later to put Newcastle ahead.
City pressed again at the start of the second period and Dubravka beat away Julian Alvarez’s free-kick with the travelling City fans hollering for De Bruyne’s introduction. When they got their wish, Newcastle allowed De Bruyne to stride on to Rodri’s pass before lasering a low shot through Fabian Schar’s legs and into the corner.
City were pushing for a winner now – and De Bruyne’s magic proved decisive.
His brilliant pass found Bobb and the 20-year-old Norwegian youngster shrugged off Kieran Trippier and fooled Dubravka with a clever finish.