Manchester City moved two points behind table-leader Arsenal after Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Newcastle United 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium to keep the Premier League title race close.

Nico O’Reilly put City ahead in the 14th minute through a low shot from 20 yards out but Lewis Hall levelled for Newcastle eight minutes later when his volley took a big deflection on its way into the net.

It didn’t take the hosts very long to restore their lead in the 27th minute when O’Reilly powered home a cross by Erling Haaland. it was the youngster’s first league double. 

Both City and Newcastle created big chances in the second half but were not clinical enough to convert the opportunities. The biggest  came in added time as Haaland went one-on-one with the goalkeeper but Nick Pope parried the ball away.

Meanwhile, in one of the other matches on Saturday, Chelsea failed to gather maximum points in the race for Champions League football next season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom side Burnley.

Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead four minutes into the encounter after the Brazil international slotted home a pass from Pedro Neto. 

Chelsea struggled to extend the advantage afterwards and were reduced to 10 men when Wesley Fofana was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving a second yellow card.

Meanwhile, Burnley capitalised on the numerical superiority to mount attacking threat on the hosts and eventually got an equaliser deep into added time when unmarked Ziam Flemming headed home a free kick by James Ward-Prowse.

The Blues currently sit fourth on the table with 45 points but Manchester United can leapfrog them if the Red Devils beat Everton in their own match on Monday.

Full results on Saturday 

Aston Villa 1 vs 1 Leeds United 

Brentford 0 vs 2 Brighton 

Chelsea 1 vs 1 Burnley 

West Ham 0 vs 0 Bournemouth 

Man City 2 vs 1 Newcastle United