City Watch: O'Reilly shines in big City win

In a rare occurrence in such a busy schedule, Manchester City have only played one game since I wrote my last column, with no midweek games last week or this week. 

This is due to the fact that we qualified for the top eight of the Champions League, meaning no play off round, which has taken place over the last couple of weeks.

Before I talk about City’s potential European opponents, the Blues played host to Newcastle on the weekend in the first of what I’d consider to be 12 finals in the final stretch of the title race. 

Despite having a fantastic record against the Magpies at the Etihad, I was aware of the fact their away form had been picking up, the Geordie side put six past Qarabag in the Champions League last week.

In classic City style this season, Pep’s team started the game well, dominating large parts of the first half, and making the breakthrough just 14 minutes through Nico O’Reilly, who was playing effectively as a number ten.

Newcastle responded with a goal against the run of play just eight minutes later, a deflected shot from Lewis Hall beat Donnarumma levelling up the score. 

Once again though, O’Reilly to the rescue just five minutes later, scoring his second of the game to give the Blues a 2-1 lead at half time.

There weren’t many talking points from the second period, so instead I’ll talk about Nico O’Reilly. 

Considering the 20 year old has only started playing regular first team football this season, his performances have been unbelievable. 

He’s keeping players like Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki out of the team with the level he’s playing at.

It’s also his versatility that impresses me, he spent a large part of the season playing at left back with Ait-Nouri out injured, but now the left back has returned, Pep has moved him into a more natural midfield position, but still switching between a box to box midfielder and a number 10.

I’ll be shocked if he isn’t named Young Player of the Season, and Thomas Tuchel will surely be taking him to the States for the World Cup. 

City now play Leeds at Elland Road on the weekend before a game at the Etihad against Nottingham Forest in midweek. 

With Arsenal winning the North London derby last weekend, the gap remains at five points with the Blues having a game in hand to play against Crystal Palace, it’s another must win on Saturday.