Man City’s significant victory against Newcastle increases pressure on Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola praised a “significant” victory after title-contending Manchester City secured a vital yet tense win over Newcastle on Saturday.
Nico O’Reilly netted twice as City narrowly defeated the Magpies 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium, reducing Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.
The manager is now urging his players to concentrate on their upcoming match against Leeds next Saturday, without being sidetracked by the broader title race.
Guardiola remarked: “It was significant. Newcastle are an exceptional team.
“Today’s match is a preview of what we will encounter in the next 11. Each game will be a struggle.
“Now we have three days off. I tell them ‘what you need to do is enjoy some caipirinhas and daiquiris in these next three days, enjoy life,’ and then we will have proper training sessions and head to Leeds.
“That is the right approach. If we start thinking ‘if we win this, then Arsenal does that or Aston Villa’ … [you get a] slap in the face and what you anticipated [to happen], the opposite occurs.
“I understand how challenging it will be. Just win the next match, keep pushing, never give up. Ten games is a lot in the Premier League. Many things will unfold.”
Encouraged by Arsenal’s surprising draw against Wolves earlier in the week, the match commenced in a lively atmosphere.
The mood shifted to one of tension by the end as Newcastle applied pressure late in the game, but Guardiola believed the crowd played a crucial role in securing the three points for City.
“The energy and connection with our fans today was the best of the season,” he stated. “We have five [home] games remaining in the Premier League, and we need that energy.”
O’Reilly’s two goals came around a deflected equalizer from Lewis Hall, rewarding City for a strong first-half performance, but Newcastle—returning from a midweek match in Azerbaijan—proved to be a different challenge after halftime.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe commented: “It was a commendable effort from the players physically. We have faced a really tough series of fixtures.
“Every time we step onto the pitch, I want the players to give their all. I can’t ask for anything more.
“For their two goals, I don’t believe we defended adequately and we made individual mistakes, but considering everything we have exerted over the past few weeks, that was a solid performance.”
