Manager Josep Guardiola does not expect Man City to maintain a flawless run in the race for the Premier League title – despite insisting they opened up a two-point gap over leaders Arsenal with what he described as a “big win” against Newcastle.
City piled on the pressure with a 2-1 win on Saturday after Arsenal gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with bottom-placed Wolves.
City can go top of the table with a win if Mikel Arteta’s side pick up a point against Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s North London derby, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Nico O’Reilly’s first Premier League goal was enough to seal a point against Newcastle, but City had to hang on to protect their lead and their performance drew huge celebrations from Guardiola at full-time.
Sunday, February 22nd 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
Asked about his reaction to the win, the City manager told TNT Sport: “It’s amazing. Newcastle are an unbelievable team. They’re a great team. The physicality in midfield and the speed up front.”
“It was really tough, but the team was incredible.”
Josep Guardiola was delighted with Man City’s win against Newcastle
Arsenal have to travel to the Etihad in April and City have won 16 of their last 19 home games in the league.
Guardiola is set to overtake Arsenal in the title race at the end of the season. City won their final nine games of the 2023/24 season to win the Premier League for a record fourth consecutive year.
Asked if he felt as prepared as ever for the run-in, Guardiola added: “Seventy per cent of the players have never played in such a situation and neither have I. We have to believe in that.”
“They know, and we know, every game will be like this until the end of the season.
“Today we had the best crowd of the year. It was unbelievable. I’m really proud to be the manager of these amazing fans.”
Nico O’Reilly scored twice as Man City won 2-1 against Newcastle on Saturday.
Guardiola expects some ups and downs down the road for his new City side, who have won their last five games but still play in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
“A lot will happen,” Guardiola said at a press conference regarding the title race. “I feel like we can’t win every game, Arsenal, I don’t know.
“But I have this feeling because after that, in FA Cup and Champions League games, there will be trouble. There will be injuries, again and again.
“The best thing to do now is to relax and focus on Leeds, but then we’ll see. It depends on our level. We need to be better, better, better.”
He added: “We have a lot of new players, so they have to live with it. I’ve been saying forget about that. We have to improve, but it’s not enough. We have to be there to win the Premier League. We showed with the three points, but we have to work harder to have that chance.”
“I tell the players, ‘Let’s have a lot of Caipirinhas and Daiquiris in these three days and enjoy life.’ Then we do three proper training sessions and go to Leeds. That’s the right way. We know how difficult it is. If things don’t go well, we don’t give up and keep going. There are a lot of 10 or 11 games in the Premier League.”
Selfless Haaland impresses Pep
Man City players celebrate after back-to-back win over Newcastle
Laura Hunter of Sky Sports on Etihad Airways:
Erling Haaland is often praised for his contributions at the top end of the pitch. This reliability of output has made the difference for Manchester City on many occasions. His 29 goal contribution this season is 11 more than the next best player in the Premier League (Igor Thiago).
But his recent performances have not been about brilliance or subtlety in the box. Neither of City’s two goals could be scored. Still, Josep Guardiola hailed him as City’s “player of the match” and praised his “incredible influence”.
Haaland put in a selfless performance in the win against Newcastle, occupying Dan Byrne and Malik Thiau and giving space to Omar Marmoosh and Nico O’Reilly. His importance was demonstrated by the smart way City opened up Newcastle.
The first goal came from a flick-on from Haaland deep in midfield, while the second was headed in thanks to a smart move off the ball and a deft cross from O’Reilly. Usually these actions are reversed. That used to be important to him.
But this version of Haaland is a giving type, as keen to provide and create as he is to score. Guardiola added of the striker’s performance: “We have to play more directly against man-marking, and unless we can win the ball or fight the ball 50-50, we don’t have a chance. He did that. There were a lot of good things.”
Only Rodri (13) won more duels than Haaland (11). He attempted more aerial balls than any other player and managed the most touches inside the opposition box (seven) while drawing three fouls. The big No. 9 no longer needs to score to influence the outcome of the game. He has proven he can do it all.
