🔗 Share this article

The Newcastle manager had tested various strategies.

Newcastle's manager had experimented with high-pressing tactics against City. He tried alternative approaches with teams that dropped deeper. He experimented with multiple formations, all without positive results.

The situation had deteriorated to where Howe half-seriously claimed "we've exhausted our options" pre-game.

But he discovered a solution.

After suffering a disappointing defeat at Brentford prior to the international break, Newcastle required a response, Howe and his coaching staff developed a strategy to finally overcome Manchester City in the Premier League.

And their planning proved successful following a 2-1 victory at an electric St James' Park giving Howe his maiden win over Guardiola's Manchester City in league competition.

"I have extensive documentation of unsuccessful approaches against them, so I know what to avoid," Howe revealed. "Telling you what does is a very small piece of paper, but you just try and learn from experience and just tweak something the next time. That's what we did."

'Gradual improvements preferred'

The groundwork began after Newcastle's recent 3-1 loss at Brentford.

Howe dedicated countless hours analyzing match footage, reviewing training sessions and seeking solutions to what has been an inconsistent campaign.

With a smaller squad during the international period, the team worked on restoring "their vitality and movement".

Important modifications were made specifically for the City match.

Skipper Bruno Guimaraes took up a central midfield position, replacing Sandro Tonali who had occupied that spot, with returning defenders Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento making their first joint start since autumn and creating a significant difference.

Fabian Schar also made his first top-flight start in two months, replacing centre-back Sven Botman.

Nonetheless, instead of making sweeping alterations, Howe stuck with his favored 4-3-3 formation with two of the three lineup changes being necessitated by injuries to Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon.

The core group from the Brentford and West Ham matches were provided with redemption opportunities.

"I don't agree with completely overhauling systems," Howe declared. "Only in crisis situations would I consider drastic changes, which this isn't, and that's not my approach.

"I believe I have a clear understanding of our strongest players and I want to provide them every opportunity to demonstrate their qualities through guidance and development opportunities."

Barnes Rises to the Occasion

Nevertheless, adjustments were clearly necessary.

Only struggling Wolves and Leeds United had scored fewer goals than Newcastle in the top flight before this match.

New signing Nick Woltemade had seemed detached, with minimal attacking supply, particularly away from home.

Although Woltemade was away with Germany during the international break, Newcastle worked on different movements of players around the forward such as Barnes and Jacob Murphy, to maximize his effectiveness upon return.

Newcastle certainly created opportunities for Woltemade on Saturday, who was denied on three occasions by Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, while Newcastle previously relied too heavily on Woltemade, additional squad members have started making important contributions.

Especially Barnes.

The forward was responsible for several significant misses in the first half - even failing to hit the target with an open goal - and admitted he was not "the most popular man" at halftime.

However, Barnes not only broke the deadlock with a superb strike from distance after halftime, he secured victory moments after City leveled through Ruben Dias.

The Magpies had held advantages against Arsenal, Brentford and West Ham but ended up defeated.

However, they maintained composure when City drew level and during eight additional minutes.

This performance saw Newcastle dominate physical battles, winning more challenges and defensive actions.

While City dominated the ball, inevitably skewing the numbers, Newcastle defended resolutely with 36 clearances and limited City to only four accurate shots.

This defensive effort was praised by former Magpies defender Jonathan Woodgate.

"Defensively they were outstanding, making it extremely challenging for City to exploit gaps in midfield," he stated in his broadcast analysis. "In the second period I judged them the dominant team, frequently exposing City in transition and finishing with two excellent Barnes strikes. What an entertaining match."

Fortress St James' Park

Nevertheless, is this outcome at a vibrant St James' Park truly astonishing?

Just Manchester City (13) have secured more home Premier League victories than Newcastle (11) this year.

From the start of the previous campaign, Newcastle have recorded eight victories, two draws and only two defeats at home against top opponents including City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, United and Spurs.

However, away from home, Newcastle haven't triumphed in the top flight since April.

This accounts for their position just one point clear of the bottom three prior to Saturday's important win.

"As much as I'd prefer to claim the crowd shouldn't influence on-field performance, it transforms everything," Howe admitted. "We have to discover ways to create positivity in road games without spectator backing.

"That's our responsibility to resolve, whether through system adjustments, personnel changes. Whatever proves necessary, we must dedicate ourselves to identifying solutions."