EPL: Barnes nets brace as Newcastle dent Man City’s title bid

Newcastle dented Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge as Harvey Barnes’ brace sealed a controversial 2-1 victory on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side trailed to Barnes’ second-half opener at St James’ Park before Ruben Dias equalised for the visitors.

Moments after Dias levelled, Barnes bagged Newcastle’s contentious second goal, which was allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside against Bruno Guimaraes.

Guardiola was also aggrieved over a first-half penalty claim by Phil Foden.

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City’s fourth league defeat this season left them in third place, four points behind leaders Arsenal, who host Tottenham on Sunday.

Guardiola said it was too early to talk about the title race this week, but the City boss will be hugely frustrated to miss the chance to put pressure on Arsenal.

Eddie Howe’s first win over City in 19 top-flight attempts eased the pain of Newcastle’s successive league defeats at West Ham and Brentford before the international break.

The Star