Nico ⁠O’Reilly’s ⁠first-half brace inspired Manchester City to a 2-1 ⁠victory over Newcastle United which ⁠turned up the heat on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

City took the lead ‌on Saturday when O’Reilly slammed in a left-footed shot in the 14th minute before Lewis Hall levelled.

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O’Reilly headed in Erling Haaland’s ⁠cross to restore ⁠City’s lead in the 27th minute and it proved to ⁠the match-winner as Pep Guardiola’s ⁠side cut Arsenal’s ⁠lead to two points.

Arsenal face north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur ‌on Sunday knowing that City are now breathing ‌down ‌their necks.

Guardiola and his players appeared to acknowledge how important the result could be as they embraced each other after the final whistle.

O’Reilly said he was “over the moon” to bag the goals and three points.

“The win was the most important thing. Close the gap and apply as much pressure as possible,” he told TNT Sports.

“Very happy with the two goals. It is a dream of mine to win [the Premier League].”

Asked if City, unbeaten in eight games, can win the title, he added: “Yeah, definitely. We always believe we can win games.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, ⁠Aston Villa’s faint Premier ⁠League title hopes suffered a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leeds United and Chelsea’s top-four ambitions were damaged when they dropped two points against relegation-bound ⁠Burnley.

Anton Stach’s stunning 31st-minute free kick past Emiliano Martinez looked like giving Leeds a vital victory at Villa Park but substitute Tammy Abraham levelled late on.

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Chelsea moved above Manchester United into fourth spot on goal difference but it felt like two points dropped for the second week running as they drew 1-1 with Burnley at home.

Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead but the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Wesley Fofana received a second yellow ⁠card and Burnley equalised in stoppage time through Zian Flemming.

Brighton’s James Milner broke the Premier League appearance record in ⁠their 2-0 win at Brentford.

The 40-year-old former Manchester City and Liverpool ⁠player made his 654th appearance to go past Gareth Barry.

West Ham had the opportunity to really put some pressure on Nottingham Forest and Spurs in the relegation battle, but played out a turgid draw with visiting Bournemouth. It ‌was ‌the sixth successive Premier League stalemate between the sides.