Newcastle v Man City player ratings: Gordon 8, Isak 7; Silva 8, De Bruyne 9

Premier League champions come from behind to earn last-gasp 3-2 victory at St James' Park

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  Martin Dubravka 7/10

  NEWCASTLE RATINGS: No chance with Silva’s finish but produced fine save to deny same player a second. Helpless again against De Bruyne’s pin-point strike. Save from Rodri was pick of his numerous second-half stops before finally being rounded by Bobb for injury-time winner. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Kieran Trippier 7/10

  Home captain was up against a tricky, pacy opponent in Doku but did well to keep Belgian’s attacking influence down to minimum but was caught out by ball of De Bruyne and skill of Bobb for City’s later winner. EPAShow less

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  Fabian Schar 7/10

  Had looked assured at back for Newcastle but was nutmegged by De Bruyne’s strike for City’s second when he arguably should have closed the City substutute down quicker. AFP

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  Sven Botman 8/10

  Superb recovery tackle on Doku who would have been through on goal in 39th minute. Immense at back for Magpies and finding top form again after injury-hit campaign. AFP

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  Dan Burn 7/10

  Left isolated down left ahead of City’s first goal with Gordon still recovering from being floored by Dias. Unfortunate slip resulted in Alvaraz going close for City. Earned assist for second goal with simple ball down left flank to Gordon. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Sean Longstaff 6/10

  Had ball in net in opening few minutes only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Part of a hard-working home midfield trio who tried desperately to halt the City attacking supply line but ran out of steam in second half. AFPShow less

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  Lewis Miley 6/10

  Struggled early on as City dominated possession and was too easily beaten in challenge with Doku ahead of Silva’s goal. Improved as match went on and sent one lovely ball through to Isak who was denied by the keeper. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Bruno Guimaraes 7/10

  Needless booking for late challenge on Kovacic in first-half and flirted with red with tackle on Rodi. Lovely ball over top of defence to pick out Isak for Newcastle’s first. Vital tackle denied Rodri shooting opportunity in second half. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Miguel Almiron 6/10

  Pressured a clearly injured Ederson into mistake that almost led to goal. Found some joy down the left flank in behind Gvardiol and was threat on counter-attack, particularly in first half, but less effective after break as City took control of game. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Anthony Gordon 8/10

  Cut in from left past Walker before curling stunning finish into corner as Newcastle scored two first-half goals in two minutes. Ran himself into the ground and earned standing ovation after late substitution. PAShow less

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  Alexander Isak 7/10

  Cool and composed finish to level scores at 1-1 for goal No 13 this season with Newcastle’s first shot on target in 35th minute. Denied second by Ortega save five minutes later. AP

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  Lewis Hall N/A

  SUBS (On for Gordon 86’) PA

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  Ederson N/A

  MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Clattered by teammate Walker in incident that saw Newcastle goal ruled out for offside. Tried to play on but then almost cost City a goal after being pressed by Newcastle trying to play ball out. Limped off straight after. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Kyle Walker 6/10

  Eventful first half. Ended Ederson’s game in opening five minutes with sliding tackle. Perfect cross for Silva to make it 1-0. Skinned by Isak and then Gordon for Newcastle’s two goals. Getty Images

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  Ruben Dias 7/10

  Well-timed challenge prevented Isak putting side in front but should have been penalised for dumping Gordon to the floor minutes before City’s opener. EPA

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  Nathan Ake 7/10

  Part of a high City defensive line that Newcastle’s pacy attackers were able to exploit on counter-attack in opening 45 minuters. City’s back four were immaculate in second half, though. AFP

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  Josko Gvardiol 7/10

  Croatian defender, playing at left-back, found life tough against Almiron who was able to attack space behind the City backline. Comfortable second half as Newcastle's threat going forward all but disappeared. AFPShow less

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  Rodri 7/10

  Booked for revenge challenge on Guimaraes after Brazilian and tread on his foot with late tackle minutes earlier. Provided assist for De Bruyne’s leveller with lovely pass. Denied goal by fine Dubravka stop. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Mateo Kovacic 7/10

  Former Chelsea player gave City a solid midfield base alongside Rodri allowing the likes of Silva, Foden and later De Bruyne freedom to attack. Saw deflected shot saved by Dubravka. AFP

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  Bernardo Silva 8/10

  Blazed shot over bar from middle of penalty but produced sensational backheel to put City in front after 26 minutes. Denied a second minutes later by combination of Dubravka and crossbar. Booked for foul on Schar. ReutersShow less

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  Phil Foden 8/10

  A constant menace drifting between the lines and a nightmare for any defence. Drilled low effort from outside of box straight at keeper just before hour mark. Getty Images

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  Jeremy Doku 6/10

  His pace caused Newcastle problems early on and looked like he was going to be key player in game but impact waned and was eventually taken off. AP

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  Julian Alvarez 7/10

  Saw low shot turned out for corner by Dubravka as City looked to make it 2-0 in first half. Had free-kick and then shot from inside area saved by keeper after break. Blazed easiest chance of all over bar in 70th minute. Getty ImagesShow less

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  Stefan Ortega 7/10

  SUBS: (On for Ederson 8’) Early introduction due to Ederson’s injury, German was beaten by two excellent Newcastle finishes while also denied Isak a second in first half. Reuters

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  Kevin de Bruyne 9/10

  (On for Silva 69’) First Premier League appearance since opening game of season for Belgian and inevitably finished superbly minutes after coming on with fifth touch of ball. Superb ball over top to fellow substitute Bobb for winning goal. What a player. APShow less

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  Oscar Bobb N/A

  (On for Doku 82’) Magnificent touch, skill and finish to earn City three points. EPA

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City showed the heart of champions as they fought back to beat Newcastle United 3-2 on Saturday thanks to a Kevin De Bruyne masterclass on his return to Premier League action.

The Belgian playmaker came off the bench to score one and set up Oscar Bobb's stoppage-time winner in his first league appearance in five months following injury.

Victory takes City up to second in the table, two points behind Liverpool, and ominously poised to strike when they return from a two-week winter break in Abu Dhabi, by which point Erling Haaland may be fit to join De Bruyne in terrorising opposition defences.

"That was really good, sometimes it is better winning that way," said Guardiola, who watched Bernardo Silva score with a superb backheel to put his team ahead in the first half.

"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."

A cruel late twist for Newcastle saw Eddie Howe's men succumb to a sixth defeat in their last seven Premier League games.

But after looking a threat on the counter-attack in the first half – when Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both scored with fine finishes – the Magpies ran out of steam after the break and were left holding on for much of the second period.

"Their quality told in the end. De Bruyne is obviously a world-class player," said Howe, who was publicly backed by the club's chief executive Darren Eales this week.

"There's not a lot wrong with our performances. You can see today we are a top 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."

Check out the photo gallery above for the player ratings from St James' Park. To move on to the next slide, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.