Pep Guardiola’s exuberance after Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium was impossible to miss. The City manager celebrated with unrestrained joy, embracing his coaching staff and punching the air several times in delight. A broad smile spread across his face, reflecting not only the satisfaction of three points but the strategic advantage his team gained in the Premier League title race.
City entered the match six points behind leaders Arsenal after 25 games. A late-season push was essential, and City’s victory reduced the gap to just two points. Arsenal, meanwhile, dropped points on Thursday night, drawing against relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers. Guardiola’s delight was clear: control of the title race now lies firmly in Manchester City’s hands.
With 11 matches remaining, including a crucial head-to-head against Arsenal in April at the Etihad, City have a realistic path to the championship. Should they win all their remaining fixtures, they will overtake Arsenal, who would need the same flawless record to retain their lead. Currently, after 27 games, Arsenal sit atop the table with 58 points, while City are close behind with 56 points.
City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s spectacular save in the 95th minute preserved the win, preventing what could have been a draw. Earlier, Nico O’Reilly’s brace in the 14th and 27th minutes had given City the lead, while Newcastle’s Luis Hall had briefly equalised in the 22nd minute.
Guardiola, beaming after the victory, even announced a three-day break for his players to “enjoy life,” jokingly encouraging them to indulge in cocktails like Caipirinhas and Daiquiris before returning to training to face Leeds United on Saturday. Guardiola described Newcastle as an “incredible team,” praising their pace, physicality, and midfield strength, adding, “Today’s performance shows what we can achieve in the remaining 11 matches. Every game will be a battle.”
Chelsea Dropped Points
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley despite taking an early lead through Pedro in the 4th minute. The Blues finished the game with ten men after Wesley Fofana was sent off in the 72nd minute, receiving his second yellow card of the match. Chelsea have now accumulated six red cards this season—the highest in the Premier League—while falling to fourth with 45 points from 27 games. Burnley equalised in stoppage time through striker Gian Fleming.
James Milner Sets Appearance Record
In Brighton, James Milner made history in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Brighton. The 40-year-old full-back became the most capped player in Premier League history, surpassing Gareth Barry’s previous record of 653 appearances when he came on as a 90th-minute substitute.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Clubs Represented | Premier League Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Milner | 654 | 56 | Leeds United, Newcastle, Man City, Liverpool, Brighton | 3 |
| Gareth Barry | 653 | 53 | Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, West Brom | 2 |
Milner’s Premier League career has spanned Leeds United, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton. He has scored 56 goals and assisted 90 more, lifting the league title three times—twice with City and once with Liverpool.
Milner’s milestone adds yet another historic moment to an already thrilling Premier League season, where both title races and individual achievements continue to captivate fans.