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The Newcastle manager had tested various strategies.

Newcastle's manager had experimented with high-pressing tactics against City. Other formations saw his team sitting back defensively. Different systems were tested, but none yielded victory.

Howe was barely exaggerating when he said "we've tried everything" ahead of the weekend fixture.

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 team devised a tactical plan to secure their first victory against Manchester City.

Their approach worked perfectly, resulting in a 2-1 triumph at a vibrant St James' Park giving Howe his maiden win over Guardiola's Manchester City in league competition.

"I've got lists and lists of things that haven't worked against them so I could probably tell you what doesn't," Howe explained. "Telling you what does is a very small piece of paper, but you just try and learn from experience and just tweak something the next time. That's what we did."

'Gradual improvements preferred'

The foundation was established in the days following Newcastle's 3-1 defeat at Brentford this month.

Howe spent numerous hours examining game film, assessing training and searching for fixes to their up-and-down form.

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.

Bruno Guimaraes was deployed centrally in midfield, a role previously held by Sandro Tonali, with returning defenders Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento making their first joint start since autumn and creating a significant difference.

Fabian Schar returned to the starting lineup for the first time in two months, taking Sven Botman's position.

Nonetheless, instead of making sweeping alterations, Howe stuck with his favored 4-3-3 formation 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 agree with completely overhauling systems," Howe stated. "Unless the situation becomes desperate, which it hasn't, and that's not my managerial philosophy.

"I believe I have a clear understanding of our strongest players and I want to provide them every opportunity to demonstrate their qualities by assisting them and encouraging their progress."

Barnes Steps Up Crucial Moments

Nevertheless, adjustments were clearly necessary.

Prior to this game, only Wolves and Leeds United had netted fewer Premier League goals than Newcastle.

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

Although Woltemade was away with Germany during the international break, Newcastle worked on different movements of players around the forward such as Barnes and Jacob Murphy, to maximize his effectiveness upon return.

The Magpies generated clear chances for Woltemade during the match, with the City keeper making three crucial saves.

However, while Newcastle previously relied too heavily on Woltemade, additional squad members have started making important contributions.

Notably Barnes.

The forward was responsible for several significant misses in the first half - even failing to hit the target with an open goal - and admitted he was not "the most popular man" at halftime.

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.

Newcastle previously led against Arsenal, Brentford and West Ham only to ultimately lose.

But they didn't collapse when Manchester City equalized or, indeed, after eight minutes of stoppage time were added.

The match featured Newcastle outperforming City in defensive statistics, including tackles, headers and blocks.

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.

"Without the ball they were magnificent, complicating City's efforts to penetrate defensive lines," he commented during radio coverage. "Second half I considered them the superior team, consistently catching City on counter-attacks and ultimately scoring two magnificent goals by Barnes. What a spectacular game."

Home Dominance Continues

Yet should this result under the lights at St James' necessarily come as a massive surprise?

Just Manchester City (13) have secured more home Premier League victories than Newcastle (11) this year.

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.

"Although I wish to state that atmosphere shouldn't impact gameplay, it fundamentally alters proceedings," Howe acknowledged. "We need to identify methods to generate momentum in away matches without fan assistance.

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