Premier League: De Bruyne inspires Man City to 3-2 win at Newcastle

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

The Norwegian, 20, latched on to a superb lofted pass from fellow substitute Kevin de Bruyne and showed superb footwork to take the ball pass Martin Dubravka and tap into the empty net.

It rounded off a brilliant game that saw both sides dominate periods, but City controlled the second half and showed the fight and quality to seal what could be a huge win come the end of the season.

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

Read the full report here.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to MOTD: "It was a really good first-half performance from us. End-to-end, brave football. We probably ran out of gas in the second half.

"It looked like we had done enough for the point, with the way we defended you'd have backed us to see it out but we couldn't do it in the end.

"We are limited from the bench at the moment. The lads gave a lot in the first half, we looked really good, we just probably couldn't sustain it.

"That's the quality they have, but you have to find a way. You just hoped we could see it out and get a really good point.

"In the first half, physically we were causing them problems. We were stretching their back line. We had chances when we got the lead were in a really good moment but we couldn't sustain it.

"The frustration from us you could see what we can be at times but we haven't been able to put that together for the last month and it has cost us. You accept that but of course we need some players back and to lift the group."

Kevin de Bruyne has scored (one) or assisted (three) a goal in all three of his substitute appearances in all competitions this season.

His goal was Manchester City’s 100th in the Premier League against Newcastle, the first side they’ve netted a century against in the competition.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to TNT Sports: "No words to describe the performance. We are judged on the performance. A win will be judged. The mentality and what we are able to do. We proved our qualities."

On winning the game: "We lost John Stones and Ederson. It was weird but we took the game in our control, we arrived in small pockets really well. We conceded two goals on the transition, they are similar to Liverpool. Stick to the plan, continue to do it and the magic from Kevin and Oscar came."

On Kevin De Bruyne: "I'm so grumpy and upset with Kevin because his first touch was a free kick and he couldn't score. Phil Foden was outstanding. Everyone was really good."

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to MOTD: "That was really good, sometimes it is better winning that way for the team, for everything. Incredible team the way we played with a huge personality. They showed me they want to be there, to fight until the end that they want to retain the title."

On Kevin de Bruyne: "I am a little bit upset and grumpy with him because he didn't score from the free-kick!

"When opponents are more tired, Kevin and Oscar provide another pace at the end.

"Oscar's was a fantastic goal for the control. We were really impressed in pre-season, I knew from information for the second team he was special.

"When Kevin has the ball and we have runners, Kevin is unique in the world but the finish by Oscar, I am so, so happy for him."

On Ederson and taking so long to pull play back for offside: "Teams like Spurs or Liverpool or Aston Villa or ourselves, we play high line. There were three players offside, so you have to avoid that. They should review it.

"Big knock on the knee but now we have 10 days off."

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to TNT Sports: "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."

Manchester City are just the fourth side in Premier League history to have won at least three successive away games despite trailing in each one after Leeds in October 1999, Tottenham in December 2013 and Manchester United in December 2020 (a run of six).

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Kevin De Bruyne became the first Manchester City player to both score and assist in a Premier League game as a substitute since Sergio Agüero vs Cardiff in January 2014.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, speaking to TNT Sports: "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."

Manchester City matchwinner Oscar Bobb, speaking to TNT Sports: "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."

There's nothing like a last-minute winner.

Oscar Bobb couldn't hide the joy from his face after securing the three points for Man City late on at Newcastle.

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SMS Message: Lifelong Newcastle fan. Feel like Howe is out of his depth now. Time for board to ditch and get in someone like Mourinho. from Miles Chapman, Paignton

Lifelong Newcastle fan. Feel like Howe is out of his depth now. Time for board to ditch and get in someone like Mourinho.

Here's how it looks at the top of the Premier League as Oscar Bobb's late, late goal moves Manchester City to within two points of leaders Liverpool.

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SMS Message: Bobb's your Uncle! from Gaz, Oxford

Bobb's your Uncle!

Pep Guardiola is over to give Kevin de Bruyne a huge hug as Manchester City celebrate three big points.

Newcastle were so close to a hard-fought point but you can't argue against that never-say-die attitude from Manchester City, who now move to within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

All over!

Kevin de Bruyne inspires Manchester City to victory with a goal and an assist on his Premier League return.

SMS Message: That's outrageous, the pass, the touch, the skill round the keeper. Love them or hate them, that was superb from Man City. from Tom

That's outrageous, the pass, the touch, the skill round the keeper. Love them or hate them, that was superb from Man City.

That pass from De Bruyne is one of the best passes I've seen this season.