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Eddie Howe had exhausted all options.

Newcastle's manager had experimented with high-pressing tactics against City. He fielded others who adopted deeper defensive positions. He experimented with multiple formations, all without positive results.

It reached the point where Howe was only partially joking when he stated "we don't have anything new left" before Saturday's match.

However, he uncovered an effective approach.

When Newcastle desperately needed a positive result, following a difficult loss at Brentford before the international break, Howe and his coaching staff developed a strategy to finally overcome Manchester City in the Premier League.

Their approach worked perfectly, resulting in a 2-1 triumph at a vibrant St James' Park marking Howe's initial Premier League success against Guardiola's side after 16 previous failures.

"I have extensive documentation of unsuccessful approaches against them, so I know what to avoid," Howe stated. "The list of effective methods is brief, but we continuously learn and refine our approach. That was our methodology."

'Gradual improvements preferred'

Planning commenced in the aftermath of their Brentford setback.

The manager invested extensive time studying video, evaluating practice sessions and looking for answers to their irregular season.

Although working with a reduced training group, Newcastle focused on rediscovering "their energy and athleticism" during the international break.

Important modifications were made specifically for the City match.

Captain Bruno Guimaraes was assigned a central role in the midfield three, where Sandro Tonali had been positioned for most of the past year, while returning full-backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento started together for the first time since September and made a substantial impact.

Fabian Schar also made his first top-flight start in two months, replacing centre-back Sven Botman.

However, rather than implementing radical changes, Howe maintained his preferred 4-3-3 system and two of the three modifications to his starting lineup were essentially forced after Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon missed out through injury.

Most of the squad members who played at Brentford and during the disappointing West Ham loss received chances to make amends.

"I don't support the idea of tearing everything down," Howe declared. "Unless you're in absolute panic mode, which we're not, and I don't believe in that style of leadership anyway.

"I possess strong insight into our top talent and strive to create optimal conditions for their development through guidance and development opportunities."

Barnes Rises to the Occasion

However, transformation was undoubtedly required.

Only struggling Wolves and Leeds United had scored fewer goals than Newcastle in the top flight before this match.

Record signing Nick Woltemade had appeared isolated, with limited service, particularly in away matches.

While Woltemade was on international duty with Germany, Newcastle practiced varied attacking patterns around their striker featuring Barnes and Jacob Murphy, to optimize his contribution after his international commitment.

Newcastle manufactured several scoring opportunities for Woltemade, but the City goalkeeper produced three important stops.

But whereas Newcastle were once overly dependent on Woltemade, other players have begun to contribute significantly.

Notably Barnes.

The attacker squandered important chances in the opening period - including missing an empty net - and confessed he wasn't "the fan favorite" during the break.

Yet Barnes didn't just score the opener with a quality finish from range in the second period, he netted the decider shortly after City drew level via Ruben Dias.

The Magpies had held advantages against Arsenal, Brentford and West Ham but ended up defeated.

Yet they remained resilient after City's equalizer and throughout eight minutes of added time.

This performance saw Newcastle dominate physical battles, winning more challenges and defensive actions.

Despite City's possession advantage, which distorts the data, Newcastle cleared their lines 36 times and confined City to merely four shots on goal.

The defensive display caught the attention of ex-Newcastle player Jonathan Woodgate.

"Defensively they were outstanding, making it extremely challenging for City to exploit gaps in midfield," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "In the second period I judged them the dominant team, frequently exposing City in transition and finishing with two excellent Barnes strikes. What an entertaining match."

St James' Stronghold

However, should this victory at a illuminated St James' Park be considered completely unexpected?

Only City (13) have collected more home league wins than Newcastle (11) in the current season.

Beginning last season, the Magpies have achieved eight wins, two draws and merely two losses at St James' Park versus elite Premier League opposition.

However, away from home, Newcastle haven't triumphed in the top flight since April.

This explains why the team were just a single point above the relegation zone before Saturday's significant victory.

"As much as I'd prefer to claim the crowd shouldn't influence on-field performance, it transforms everything," Howe acknowledged. "We have to discover ways to create positivity in road games without spectator backing.

"That's our responsibility to resolve, whether through system adjustments, personnel changes. Whatever proves necessary, we must dedicate ourselves to identifying solutions."