Unbeaten runs end for Manchester City and Newcastle in Champions League

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester City suffered a rare Champions League loss at the Etihad Stadium on Nov 25 as Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen claimed a 2-0 victory to end City's 23-game unbeaten home run in the competition's group or league stage.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s three-match Champions League winning streak was halted as they lost 2-1 at Olympique de Marseille.

City’s loss spoiled Pep Guardiola's 100th Champions League match as manager, and left the Premier League side provisionally sixth in the table on 10 points after five games.

Alejandro Grimaldo and Patrik Schick scored for Leverkusen, who are 13th. 

Guardiola rested many of his regular starters for the first half and the risky move backfired.

Grimaldo struck in the 23rd minute on the counter-attack when Malik Tillman sent in a cross that Christian Kofane held up in the penalty area for Grimaldo to fire home.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 54th minute with a glancing Schick header over a lunging Nathan Ake and past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper James Trafford.

City's scoring machine Erling Haaland entered the game in the 65th minute to a standing ovation, but goalkeeper Mark Flekken made a brave stop from the big Norwegian's best chance.

Newcastle lose

In Marseille, Harvey Barnes gave the visitors a dream start in the Stade Velodrome when he broke the deadlock from close range after five minutes with his fourth goal in the last three matches in all competitions.

But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang turned the scoreline around though with two goals in four minutes just after the interval to give the French side their second win of the campaign.

Newcastle, who are in provisional eighth place with nine points, travel to Bayer Leverkusen next, while Marseille, in 19th spot on six points, visit Union Saint-Gilloise. REUTERS