Bobb scores a late winner for Man City in Newcastle

Oscar Bobb scored an injury-time winner as Manchester City moved within two points of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League with victory over Newcastle in a breathtaking encounter at St James’ Park.

It capped off a brilliant match with both sides dominating the periods, but City controlled the second half and showed fight and quality to seal a huge end-of-season win.

While Bobb enjoyed his first Premier League goal, the success was fueled by De Bruyne.

Just four minutes and 35 seconds after coming off the bench, the Belgian found space between the home defense and midfield before firing a finish into the far corner.

Bernardo Silva had put the Premier League champions ahead in the 26th minute, meeting Kyle Walker’s right-wing cross with a daring backheel before two goals in three minutes gave Newcastle the lead.

First, Alexander Isak collected a sweeping pass from Bruno Guimaraes before curling past City’s reserve keeper Stefan Ortega – who had replaced the injured Ederson – into the top corner for his fourth goal in four games.

Anthony Gordon was then released on the left and he took advantage of Walker’s deficit to spectacularly slot into the bottom corner and delight the home fans.

City had lost just once in 72 Premier League games when they took the lead and that was under serious threat until their talisman De Bruyne continued his comeback from injury with a top-class strike and a superb assist for Bobb.

Boss Pep Guardiola and the entire City squad, including the substitutes, celebrated emphatically at the whistle as the reigning champions won their third consecutive league win and finished sixth in all competitions.

De Bruyne delivers after defensive problems

For much of this season, City have been a long way from the level at which they won the Treble last season, especially defensively.

These issues have reared their heads again and will lead to questions over summer recruitment, with both of Newcastle’s goals being poorly defended.

This was another match where they missed a host of chances, including Julian Alvarez who put a golden chance over the bar from eight yards when they were behind.

However, in De Bruyne they have one of the best playmakers in the world, if not the best.

He drifted effortlessly into space for his crucial equalizer in the 74th minute and his perfectly placed low finish was a reminder of his game-changing talent.

The 32-year-old’s last league appearance was at Burnley in August after he was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

And De Bruyne still had time to make another big impact in the opening minute of added time, in keeping with the match, with his pass behind Kieran Trippier for Bobb being simply outstanding.

The forward had come in from the left wing and showed excellent control before heading home to continue his own impressive campaign.

As they moved ominously closer to leaders Liverpool, the Blues will now feel they are in a position to make one of their famous title-winning runs.

Their next five league games are against bottom half sides, four of which are at home and where they are unbeaten in 2023.

It remains to be seen whether goalkeeper Ederson will be available for those matches after he was forced off in the eighth minute following a collision with City full-back Walker and Sean Longstaff, which resulted in a Newcastle goal being disallowed for offside.

Newcastle shows fight, but the battle continues

The result will hurt Newcastle as Eddie Howe’s side have now lost seven of their last ten Premier League games, which is the same as their 44 games before that run started.

However, there were encouraging signs during a fascinating encounter.

Defensively, despite conceding three goals, they were resolute, repeatedly putting bodies on the line as City poured forward attack after attack.

Guimaraes did brilliantly to deny Phil Foden and Rodri in one dangerous attack, while Fabian Schar also blocked an Alvarez effort.

Their goals were quick and incisive and we have come to expect that from their attack under Howe.

Swedish striker Isak was also foiled by Ortega in a one-on-one chance shortly before halftime. If this were converted it might have put the game out of City’s reach.

Ultimately, as was the case in defeats to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and Liverpool in the Premier League at the turn of the year, Howe lacked quality options off the bench to influence the outcome and made one change against City.

It has made life tough for Newcastle this season and after losing consecutive home games for the first time under the former Bournemouth boss, they sit in 10th place and 11 points away from a Champions League spot.

Player of the match

De BruyneKevin De Bruyne

Newcastle United

1. Team number10player nameGordon

2. Team number14player nameIsaac

3. Team number1player nameDubravka

4. Team number39player nameBruno Guimaraes

5. Team number5player nameDab

6. Team number2player nameTrippier

7. Team number24player nameAlmirón

8. Team number4player nameBotman

9. Team number33player nameBurn

10. Team number67player nameMiley

11. Team number20player nameHall

12. Team number36player nameS Longstaff