Harvey Barnes struck twice to hand Newcastle United a statement 2-1 win over Manchester City at St James’ Park, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side further adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

The night was billed as Erling Haaland’s opportunity to eclipse Alan Shearer as the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals on Tyneside.

Instead, the Norwegian squandered two clear openings, while Barnes punished City’s defensive lapses to seal Eddie Howe’s first-ever Premier League win over Guardiola at the 16th attempt.

Newcastle punish wasteful City

Newcastle should have been ahead inside the opening minute when Bruno Guimarães capitalised on a loose Donnarumma pass to release Barnes, but the City keeper recovered to save.

Moments later, Haaland wasted a similar chance after being played through by Jeremy Doku, slicing wide under pressure from Nick Pope.

The tone was set: chances at both ends, goalkeepers working overtime, and attackers lacking composure.

City survived another scare when Donnarumma made a stunning save to deny Nick Woltemade’s header, but Newcastle eventually broke through just before the hour.

O’Reilly’s poor clearance handed the hosts possession, allowing Joelinton and Guimarães to combine before Barnes fired beyond Donnarumma.

Guardiola’s fury was visible on the touchline, and City responded quickly. From a corner, Ruben Dias pounced on a loose ball to level, though the defender required a shirt change after a bloodied collision during the celebration.

Barnes delivers the knockout punch

The decisive moment arrived soon after. Newcastle pressed high again, Woltemade’s header forced chaos in the box, and Guimarães rattled the bar.

Barnes reacted first, backheeling the rebound across goal and into the net to restore the lead. VAR offered City brief hope, but after a lengthy review, Guimarães was ruled onside.

Haaland’s frustrations grew as he failed to convert another Doku-created opening, while Foden and Bernardo Silva also missed chances in a frantic closing spell.

Newcastle held firm to claim their sixth straight home win, while City’s title defence continues to falter. Guardiola’s side now face increasing pressure, with Arsenal likely to take full advantage when they face Tottenham in North London on Sunday.