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The Newcastle manager had tested various strategies.

Previously, Howe had sent out teams that applied intense pressure against Manchester City. Other formations saw his team sitting back defensively. Various tactical setups were attempted, none proving successful.

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

Yet he found an answer.

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.

The strategy paid dividends with a 2-1 win in front of a passionate home crowd marking Howe's initial Premier League success against Guardiola's side after 16 previous failures.

"My records show numerous failed strategies against City, making clear what doesn't work," Howe explained. "Identifying successful tactics requires minimal documentation, but we learn from each experience and make adjustments. This was our process."

'Gradual improvements preferred'

The groundwork began after Newcastle's recent 3-1 loss at Brentford.

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

With a smaller squad during the international period, the team worked on restoring "their vitality and movement".

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, with returning defenders Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento making their first joint start since autumn and creating a significant difference.

Defender Fabian Schar earned his first league start since autumn, coming in for Sven Botman.

Despite the changes, Howe avoided dramatic overhauls and preserved his trusted 4-3-3 setup while two adjustments were enforced due to the absence of injured players Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon.

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 you're in absolute panic mode, which we're not, and I don't believe in that style of leadership anyway.

"I'm confident in identifying our best performers and aim to give them maximum chances to showcase their abilities through guidance and development opportunities."

Barnes Delivers When It Matters

However, transformation was undoubtedly required.

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.

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.

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

Especially Barnes.

Barnes wasted crucial opportunities before halftime - even missing from close range - and acknowledged he wasn't "the most appreciated player" at intermission.

But not only did Barnes open the scoring with an excellent effort from the edge of the area in the second half, he delivered the winner just minutes after Manchester City equalized through Ruben Dias.

Newcastle had been ahead versus Arsenal, Brentford and West Ham but surrendered their leads.

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

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

While City dominated the ball, inevitably skewing the numbers, Newcastle defended resolutely with 36 clearances and limited City to only four accurate shots.

That defensive performance impressed former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate.

"Without the ball they were magnificent, complicating City's efforts to penetrate defensive lines," 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 a spectacular game."

Home Dominance Continues

Nevertheless, is this outcome at a vibrant St James' Park truly astonishing?

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

Since the beginning of last season, Newcastle have won eight, drawn two and lost just two of their home fixtures against Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham across all competitions.

Nonetheless, on their travels, Newcastle haven't secured a league victory since spring.

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 conceded. "We must determine how to transfer positive energy into our away performances when we lack crowd support.

"This is our challenge to address, whether via tactical modifications, roster decisions. Whatever proves necessary, we must dedicate ourselves to identifying solutions."