De Bruyne is Man City’s hero – and shows why they are title favourites

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Kevin De Bruyne has got a new look, an injury lay off fashion makeover, but some things never change: his ability to rescue Manchester City when they need a hero.
Make no mistake, City were in desperate trouble against Newcastle United, trailing by two goals to one when their Belgian master emerged from the bench with 21 minutes left to play.
Newcastle had been superb in the first half, tearing into City, playing with a speed on the counter attack few teams could contain. But we have written this story before about them and it is getting painfully repetitive.
With 11 players missing through injury, the Magpies simply do not have any midfielders or attacking players on the bench manager Eddie Howe can use to change the game or relieve the pressure on his defence The starting XI  begins to get tired, the forward players can no longer make runs in behind that push the opposition back. The midfield players are slower to close the opposition down. Eventually, when they are finally exhausted, they concede late goals. Last month, it happened against Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League and Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, knocking them out of both competitions. This defeat dropped them down to tenth in the table.
It created the perfect conditions for Manchester City, inspired by De Bruyne, to thrive and secure a comeback win that puts them on the shoulder of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
Newcastle do not have the luxury of being able to bring on world-class players like De Bruyne but the fact they were running on fumes by the time he emerged from the bench was fatal.
De Bruyne scored City’s equaliser, advancing from midway in the Newcastle half before drilling  a shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
But it was the perfection, the artistry of the lofted pass to fellow substitute Oscar Bobb that secured the win, the ball sailing over the head of Kieran Trippier. Bobb did not have to break his stride, but he did need to beat goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, which he did with ease.
A dream moment for Oscar Bobb as he wins the game for Man City in the 91st minute 😍That assist from Kevin De Bruyne is out of this world! 💫📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/JIkz1IOGmn
It felt cruel on Newcastle, a scene of devastation that has been repeated so many times in this infuriating season. But as their jubilant travelling fans sang, this is why Manchester City are champions. The victory puts them two points behind leaders Liverpool and with De Bruyne back and Erling Haaland still to return, they are surely favourites to become the first Premier League side to win the title four years in a row.
Whether that is good for the overall health of English football is a debate for another day. City are simply brilliant and it will take something special from Liverpool or Arsenal to stop them.
Newcastle had started the game like an angry swarm of  angry black and white wasps, buzzing around a sticky jam jar. They should have taken the lead too. There was no need for Alexander Isak to stray offside, mistming his run by a split second before squaring for Sean Longstaff to bundle home.
The offside flag went up as soon as the ball rippled the net, but the damage was done as far as City goalkeeper Ederson was concerned. In trying to stop the disallowed goal, the Brazilian head was hit by Longstaff and his knee was split open from the impact of his own defender Kyle Walker.
Ederson tried to play on and almost gifted the Magpies a goal, kicking the ball straight at Miguel Almiron who had surprised him with the speed of his press. Anthony Gordon squared the ball for Almiron to shoot, but Bruno got in his way and then sliced the ball wide.
Ederson was immediately replaced by Stefan Ortega. The two lengthy breaks in play took the sting out of the home side and settled City down.
From the restart, they took control of the ball, slowing the game down and then suddenly speeding it up. The passed from side to side, probing and waiting before finding the opportunity for a forward pass to slice through Newcastle’s midfield. It was a Guardiola side doing what it does best and Newcastle were put under constant distress. And when Kyle Walker was left unmarked by Dan Burn, sucked into the middle of the pitch to try and look after the impish and dangerous Phil Foden, the goal came. The cross was good but the finish from Silva was superb,  taking a pass slightly behind him and flicking it home.
At that stage, the visitors looked comfortable but that changed in a flash. Fabian Schar won a tackle, finally finding Bruno in space to do some damage. The Brazil international already knew what he was going to do before the pass arrived, swinging a first time ball perfectly into the path of Isak. Walker decided to go tight to stop the shot, Isak stood him up and in one movement, shifted the ball a fraction to his right and curled it perfectly into the top corner.
The pass from Bruno Guimarães, the finish from Isak.Beautifully crafted from Newcastle 😮‍💨📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dDX1HV8zt3
It was a stunning finish and it rattled City. Walker did not know what to do when Anthony Gordon picked up the ball. The England defender stood off this time, leaving far too much space for the winger to beat him and curl another effort into the far corner.
Isak might have made it three before the break, sprinting off the shoulder of the last defender but this time the finish did not match the build up and Ortega made the save.
Newcastle knew what was coming in the second half and City are probably the best side in Europe in this sort of situation. Crucially, they remained patient. Even when chances were made and missed, not least the one Julian Alvarez blasted over the bar.
City had control but it still took a player of De Bruyne’s class to score the equaliser and then create the winner in stoppage time.
The City’s talisman received the ball in space. Newcastle’s defence dropped off and De Bruyne accepted the invitation, strolling  forward and using Fabian Schar as a barrier, to keep the goalkeeper unsighted, he stroked a low shot from the edge of the area through the defender’s legs and into the bottom corner.
Dubravka was needed to make another excellent save to deny Rodri shortly after but when De Bruyne split the defence one final time, the Slovakian could not keep out Bobb.
“It was a difficult second half. We were a real threat and it was end-to-end. The second half was more difficult.”
On Man City: 
“We had chances in the game. We had a slow start but we could have scored more. Their quality told in the end. De Bruyne is obviously a world class player.”
Four losses in a row: 
“We just have to continue in the same form as today really. There’s not a lot wrong with our performances. You can see today we are a tip team. The group is in a good place, I don’t see any negativity. I see hurt because we aren’t winning and that’s what we’re here to do. We had a good win in the FA Cup last week and that boosted us for today.”
“I missed this. It is what it is, I had a big injury and I needed the time. I enjoyed myself. I think it was more willpower than anything else. It was crazy. I know I’m not able to do that for 90 minutes at the moment. I can put in a shift for 30 minutes at the moment. I feel it in my lungs, especially with the cold.”
Assist for Oscar Bobb: 
“It’s great to score the goal. The ball is good, but the run from Oscar [Bobb] is amazing. It was top from him. I look at his run. If he doesn’t run then I can’t pass the ball.”
Making impact from the bench: 
“I don’t know what to expect, I’ve never experienced this. I worked really hard and had to change a couple of things. When you play all of the time, it’s very hard to change things.”
Game felt like a final: 
“I think to come here is always difficult. Everyone was really happy for me. We want to try and compete for the league again. We are up there. It was a tough game.”
Missing playing football:
“The beginning is a big blow but I’m not someone who stands still. I enjoyed myself being able to do things I could never do. I worked hard to come back.”
On finding form: 
“I hope so. I know I need to keep working hard and get sharpness.”
“Amazing feeling. Just watching from the bench, it was a high tempo match. The manager told me to come on and score so thankfully I could.”
Scoring first Premier League goal: 
“It’s a lifelong dream and to do it with the best team in the world, I can’t describe it. This win is for the fans.”
On Kevin De Bruyne: 
“I said thank you to him after. He’s the only one in the world who could do that. To play with him is great. Not only one of the greatest players in the Premier League, he’s a very nice guy. He helps the young guys a lot.”
What a crazy 90 minutes that was, full of high, high quality goals.
The assist.The finish.WOW! pic.twitter.com/lKlv0bmaUy
It’s safe to say that Erling Haaland enjoyed that one 🤣 pic.twitter.com/EHyocYSyij
Kevin De Bruyne has gone level with Wayne Rooney for Premier League assists (103) 🪄He’s now joint-third on the all-time list 🔥 pic.twitter.com/D1GAjJviYB
2014 – Kevin De Bruyne is the first Manchester City player to score and assist in a Premier League game as a substitute since Sergio Agüero vs Cardiff in January 2014. Maestro. pic.twitter.com/6kdJ2x60sq
100 – Kevin De Bruyne’s strike was Manchester City’s 100th against Newcastle in the Premier League, the first side they’ve netted a century against in the competition. Ton. #NEWMCI
OSCAR BOBB, BOBB, BOBB! 🇳🇴🤩 pic.twitter.com/QHN2YGaMb9
That is it at St. James’ Park and Manchester City take all three points right at the death after a dramatic evening in Newcastle. That was Oscar Bobb’s first Premier League goal.
FULL-TIME | WHAT A WIN! 💫⚫️ 2-3 🩵 #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/lJsIOwP0ET
What a game at St. James’ Park! Man City edge a five-goal thriller over Newcastle with an injury time winner 💪 pic.twitter.com/OO5NGDj5R9
There was a check from VAR for a possible handball from Manchester City in their own box but VAR cleared it.
Manchester City have won it right at the death. De Bruyne plays a delightful ball over the top into the box where Bobb gets on the end of it. His quick feet are exceptional as he goes round Dubravka and slots home. Three points for Pep Guardiola’s side.
A dream moment for Oscar Bobb as he wins the game for Man City in the 91st minute 😍That assist from Kevin De Bruyne is out of this world! 💫📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/JIkz1IOGmn
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.
De Bruyne sends in a dangerous first-time cross but Schar intercepts brilliantly just ahead of Bobb.
Eddie Howe is taking off Gordon, who is replaced by Hall.
Good save from Dubravka. Rodri drives into the Newcastle box and cuts inside onto his right foot. He tries to find the far corner but Dubravka does well to get down to his right to parry it behind for a corner, which Newcastle clear.
Doku was going to come off for De Bruyne but he is now coming off to be replaced by Bobb.
Manchester City clear their lines from Trippier’s corner. Moments later Foden sees Dubravka off his line and attempts an audacious volley first-time but Dubravka gets back in time to make the save.
Gordon shoots from just outside the box and it takes a deflection behind for a Newcastle corner. Trippier to take…
Manchester City are level and it is De Bruyne. Rodri plays it round the corner to the Belgian. He drives towards the Newcastle box and he opens up his body. He perhaps fools Dubravka, who thinks De Bruyne is going to fire it to his left but he curls it into the other corner and it is 2-2.
Sam Dalling live at St. James’ Park:
Pep really enjoyed that KDB strike. And I mean really enjoyed it. Not one, not two but three times he punched the air, screaming at everyone and no-one.
Newcastle could really suffer here. There is no one on the bench that Eddie Howe trusts enough to turn to, and his starters are flagging. City will really fancy taking three points here.
KDB IS BACK! 👑Kevin De Bruyne comes on and produces a wonderful finish in his Premier League comeback game 👏📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/8YoTBBztiB
Manchester City are piling on the pressure here as Foden sends a shot so far wide it goes out for a throw-in. Newcastle are holding on here.
De Bruyne’s free-kick hits the wall. Manchester City keep it alive and it ends up with Alvarez centrally 10 yards out but he blazes his effort over the bar. He should have done so much better there.
Manchester City have a free-kick right on the edge of the Newcastle penalty area. Pep Guardiola is bringing De Bruyne on for Bernardo. Doku was set to be substituted but Guardiola has changed his mind. De Bruyne is going to take this free-kick…
Cracking and vital touch from Bruno there. Rodri a lucky boy? Perhaps a tad, but it all happens so quickly.
And now Pep is whispering softly into KDB’s ears. The Belgian’s new barnet has been a talking point of the last seven days, and I’m a fan. Sort of like he’s an actor dashing between the sets of Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders.
Newcastle nearly make it 3-1. Gordon finds Burn running down the left and he squares it for Isak. Ortega is off his line quickly and makes a good save to deny Isak and Newcastle.
At the other end, Kovacic’s deflected strike is saved by Dubravka.
Chance for Alvarez. Doku finds the Argentine inside the Newcastle box centrally and fires a powerful shot away. However, his shot is straight at Dubrvaka, who makes the save.
Manchester City come very close to levelling things up. Walker drives into the Newcastle box and finds Foden inside the six-yard box. But he cannot quite get a proper hold of it and Newcastle clear through Bruno, who is then fouled by Rodri.
It is again taken short and Foden shoots from distance, but his shot goes high and wide.
Manchester City have a corner on the left which they take short. They play around the edge of the Newcastle box and they earn themselves another corner, this time on the right…
Foden takes aim from the edge of the box on his preferred left foot but Dubravka gets down to make a reasonably easy save. Foden hit it well but it was too close to Dubravka.
Schar drives forward and is taken down by Bernardo halfway into Manchester City’s half. Referee Chris Kavanagh pauses for a moment and then decides to book Bernardo. The right decision, although it has irked Manchester City as he refused to book Burn just a few minutes ago. If one is a yellow, the other one is so Manchester City can feel justified in feeling a little irate about that inconsistency.
After Bruno sends in a good ball from the right, Gordon attempts to replicate Bernardo’s goal from the first half but his flick is nowhere near as successful as the Manchester City man.
The Argentine strikes it well but Dubravka gets across well to his left to parry the ball away from danger.
Newcastle want a free-kick for a challenge by Rodri on Longstaff but the referee is having none of it. Rodri drives towards the Manchester City box and is hauled down by Burn, who is lucky to escape without a yellow. That looked a certain booking but Chris Kavanagh does not agree. Manchester City have a free-kick around 25 yards out. Alvarez to take…
Walker tries to cut the ball back to Foden but it is deflected behind for a Manchester City corner on the right, which is cleared away by Burn.
Manchester City appeal for handball inside the Newcastle box. It did look like it struck the arm of Almiron but it was not deliberate.
When will Pep Guardiola look to turn to the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish off the bench?
We are back under way at St. James’ Park. Will the second half deliver the same drama as the first?
We are just 13 days into the new year and Alexander Isak has already found the net four times. Newcastle will be desperate to keep him fit, with Callum Wilson currently out injured and Isak having suffered numerous injuries in his Newcastle career to date.
⚽️ vs. Liverpool⚽️⚽️ vs. Sunderland⚽️ vs. Man City What a start to 2024 it’s been for Alexander Isak 👏 pic.twitter.com/4JYCzAJLoV
That is the end of a crazy first half. Manchester City took the lead and were in complete control but a couple of Newcastle goals in just a few minutes has changed this game. Three terrific goals.
We lead after a pulsating first-half! 💪#NEWMCI // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/G5cO76IUpx
Manchester City have a corner on the left deep into added time at the end of this first half. It is whipped in and Dubravka comes out to punch it away. It is not a great effort but he is lucky that the ball ended up back in his grasp.
Rodri is booked for a body-check on Bruno. There is definitely some needle between the two. Spain vs Brazil.
Almiron goes down wanting a penalty but Gvardiol got the ball so the right decision to wave those appeals away.
There will be eight minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
Trippier whips in a terrific ball across the Manchester City box but Gordon is not quite there to take advantage. Gordon should have been there to meet the cross.
Big chance for Newcastle to make it 3-1. Miley threads a ball through to Isak who is onside. He drives into the box but his shot is straight at Ortega. They do have a corner which is headed away by Dias.
Really good defending from Botman. It looks like Doku is away one-on-one but Botman gets an interception in before Doku can get a shot away inside the Newcastle box.
Newcastle are ahead and a third fantastic finish. This game has completely turned around. Newcastle win the ball in the middle of the park and the ball is fed into Gordon on the left. He drives into the Manchester City box and cuts inside Walker. Like Isak’s goal, he curls one into the far corner and Newcastle now lead 2-1 having been 1-0 down just a few minutes ago. What a crazy game this is and we are only 40 minutes into the game.
Sam Dalling live at St. James’ Park:
What is happening here?! Anthony Gordon has way too much space there. Kyle Walker defends like it’s a walk-through training session. Newcastle lead. 
Anthony Gordon with a brilliantly curled effort to turn Newcastle’s fortunes around! 🎯From 1-0 down to 2-1 up!📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/l6NMPD7qMd
Fantastic equaliser from Isak. Manchester City have been dominating this game but Newcastle are level. Bruno plays a superb first-time ball into Isak. The Swede is helped by an overlapping run by Gordon which allows Isak to cut inside. His curling finish is too good for Ortega and finds the far corner.
Sam Dalling live at St. James’ Park:
The roof has come off here. Brilliant from Schar deep in his own half. Brilliant ball from Bruno. Absolutely brilliant finish from Isak. You could have stuck Ederson in with Ortega and that would have beaten the pair of them. 
The pass from Bruno Guimarães, the finish from Isak.Beautifully crafted from Newcastle 😮‍💨📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dDX1HV8zt3
Manchester City have another corner after Dubravka parries Alvarez’s shot behind. The corner eventually comes to nothing.
Chance for Isak. Ortega takes too long on the ball at the edge of his own box and Isak blocks it. Isak is then given the ball by Gordon but his shot is deflected behind for a corner. Manchester City are able to clear their lines.
Manchester City are inches away from making it 2-0. Newcastle lose it deep in their own half and Alvarez finds Bernardo, whose volley is tipped onto the post by Dubravka. Newcastle are holding on here.
Foden goes for goal with his weaker right foot inside the Newcastle box but it goes high and wide.
Manchester City are ahead but that goal should not have stood because of the foul that should have been given. The ball is switched out to Walker on the right. He fires a cross into the path of Bernardo, who pulls off a stunning flick into the far corner to give Manchester City the lead. A stunning finish but Newcastle should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up.
Bernardo Silva, that is genius! 🤩An incredible finish to put Man City ahead against Newcastle! 🔥📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/WWQxCq6Zso
How is that not a foul? Gordon pushes it past Dias and is clearly fouled but referee Chris Kavanagh waves it away. Strange decision.
Bruno is the first man into the book tonight after a late challenge on Kovacic. Right decision.
Manchester City have their second corner of the night which Alvarez will take. The corner is taken short and finds its way to Walker outside the box. He shoots from range but his shot goes well wide.
Big, big chance for Manchester City. Doku feeds a pass into Kovacic inside the Newcastle box. The Croatian midfielder gets it caught under his feet but the ball falls to Bernardo. His volley goes sailing over the bar and he should have done so much better there.
Moments later Doku has a shot blocked inside the Newcastle penalty area. Manchester City are starting to ramp up the pressure on Newcastle.
Almiron is fed down the right and tries to find Isak six yards out but Dias does really well to get a block in.
Foden drives into the box on the left-hand side and tries to find Alvarez but it is intercepted by Bruno and goes behind for the first corner of the night, which Newcastle clear.
See I don’t like this rule. If the assistant thinks it’s offside, the flag should go up. Ederson then isn’t hurt. Simple.
Ederson’s knee is not right and is straight down the tunnel. He is replaced by Ortega, who started in goal for Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend against Huddersfield.
Sean Longstaff had the ball in the back of the net for Newcastle inside the opening two minutes but it was ruled out for offside ❌Ederson took a large knock during the disallowed goal and his game is over… 😕 pic.twitter.com/2HSAfI4jDd
How have Newcastle not scored? Immediately after the restart Ederson is closed down and loses the ball inside his own box. Gordon squares it for Bruno but he cannot get a good shot away. Ederson has gone back down and will have to be replaced.
VAR sticks with the on-field decision of offside. Ederson is down receiving treatment after colliding with Longstaff. Manchester City seem unhappy that the referee did not stop the game earlier but that was a close call with the offside. Ederson is back on his feet so we will have to wait and see how long he can continue.
Newcastle think they have taken the lead. The ball is played in behind through the right-hand channel into Isak. He plays it across to Longstaff who slots home. But the offside flag goes up. VAR will check and this looks very close…
We are under way at St. James’ Park.
Surprisingly balmy at SJP. One of those freak occurrences where it is nippier down south than on Tyneside. Global warming, eh? 
This fixture last year was a 3-3 thriller. Not sure either team can be relied upon for a clean sheet right now – expect goals. A glance at the respective benches is a good measure of where these sides are. 
For City, a trio of England international, a few exciting youngsters and some lad called De Bruyne. 
For Newcastle? A couple of keepers, a couple of full-backs who need pulling from the deep freeze, two academy forwards and Jamaal Lascelles. Enough to make home fans shudder that. 
Newcastle excellent here; City excellent on the road. Something has to give there. Unless, that is, they draw.
Both sides have emerged from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley, Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
Subs: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, A Murphy, Parkinson.
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Alvarez.
Subs: Ortega, Phillips, Grealish, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Susoho, Lewis.
Let’s go, @brunoog97! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/lnVaSkiaNZ
Game mode 🔛#ManCity pic.twitter.com/tOsR2OtJdh
How does Phil Foden’s role change with KDB’s imminent return to Man City’s starting XI? 🤔@laura_woodsy asks the question to @JoleonLescott and @rioferdy5 💭📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/xIBVibS4iR
Tripps. 💪 pic.twitter.com/Lmxvns2CMX
“A big game, a huge game. We have beaten them already, one of a few teams to do it this season.
“We will need the fans. We’ll need the atmosphere. It’s going to be a difficult game. It’s a big ask.
“We have some players back. Over the next three or four weeks you’ll probably see a different Newcastle in terms of freshness, probably the team of last season, with the high press and that.”
“We need to get out part right and deliver a really high level game.”Eddie Howe discusses losing Joelinton, facing Man City and more as we near kick-off ⚽️🎙️ @laura_woodsy @rioferdy5 @JoleonLescott pic.twitter.com/zcgjwxUUT6
“Five months is a lot of time. This is a tough place to come.”Pep Guardiola explains the reason Kevin De Bruyne starts on the bench for Man City as they get set to take on Newcastle 👊🎙️ @laura_woodsy @rioferdy5 @JoleonLescott pic.twitter.com/u9wpx7QbDk
Touchdown on Tyneside! 👋#ManCity | #AsahiSuperDry pic.twitter.com/tIYTbAc7EK
Newcastle are without Tino Livramento tonight, who misses out due to illness
Tino misses out today due to illness.Speedy recovery, @tino_livramento. ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WEigW5HRaU
Newcastle make one change from the side that won 3-0 at Sunderland in the FA Cup last weekend. Joelinton has been ruled out for at least six weeks with a thigh injury so Lewis Miley comes in.
Newcastle: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Miley, Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
Subs: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, A Murphy, Parkinson.
Manchester City make six changes to the side that beat Huddersfield 5-0 in the FA Cup.
Ederson replaces Stefan Ortega in goal, Kyle Walker replaces the injured Manuel Akanji at right-back and Nathan Ake comes in for Sergio Gomez.
In midfield Rodri returns in place of Rico Lewis. Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku replace Oscar Bobb and Jack Grealish. Kevin de Bruyne is on the bench having returned from injury last weekend against Huddersfield.
Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, Alvarez.
Subs: Ortega, Phillips, Grealish, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Susoho, Lewis.
Your City squad today! 🩵XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Kovacic, Bernardo, Foden, Doku, AlvarezSUBS | Ortega Moreno, Phillips, Grealish, De Bruyne, Gomez, Nunes, Bobb, Susoho, Lewis#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/0ctFF70uc9
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! 👊#NEWMCI // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/irdaStgEIk
Checking in! 👋 pic.twitter.com/zpiiU8ONHk
Today’s game against Manchester City is Newcastle’s first home game in 2024. The home supporters will be hoping their side can get a win in their first home game of the new year.
At home for the first time in 2024! 😍 pic.twitter.com/OqQEvhkwBJ
Having a bet on today’s match? First take a look at these free bets and betting offers. 
Manchester City will be without the services this afternoon of Norway striker Erling Haaland, who is set to be out until at least the end of the month with an ongoing foot injury. 
However, Pep Guardiola does have Kevin de Bruyne back from an hamstring injury. The Belgium midfielder made his return from injury in the 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield last weekend. Guardiola was asked whether de Bruyne will start this evening against Newcastle.
“Yes he may,” confirmed Guardiola on Friday. “From what I saw yesterday [Thursday] I feel good about it. He got some good minutes in training.
“He is getting better now, he will have a few days off after this game and can train in Abu Dhabi to be good for the next few months.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that Joelinton will miss at least the next six weeks with a thigh injury picked up in the 3-0 win in the FA Cup over Sunderland.
“The prospects over the next couple of weeks aren’t good. It’s an injury that will see him certainly miss probably a minimum of six weeks.
“It’s a real blow for us because he’s such an important player. He’s had a very stop-start season, unfortunately, this year where he was so consistent last year in his selection.
“He’s had a few different problems and this is a big blow.
“He’s got a problem with a tendon in his quad. Without going too detailed, it’s a very difficult place to get an injury, hence the timescale that he’s going to be out.
“He’s very disappointed. He wants to play, he wants to do well, so we’ve had a job of trying to pick Joe up.”
The omens are not on Newcastle’s side; their only victory in the past 32 Premier League meetings was a 2-1 win at home back in January 2019. They have drawn 5 and lost 26 of those meetings. Manchester City have scored in 30 consecutive Premier League matches against Newcastle, the longest streak by any side against another in the competition’s history.
Team news to follow shortly.