'Like Liverpool' - Pep Guardiola makes Newcastle United claim after Man City win

Pep Guardiola praised Newcastle United for the way they counter-attacked his Manchester City side during the first-half at St James' Park.

The Premier League champions won 3-2 on Tyneside but found themselves 2-1 down at half-time after goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon cancelled out Bernardo Silva's opener.

United were leading up until the 74th minute but were undone by substitute Kevin de Bruyne, whose goal and assist inspired Man City to victory. The Belgian scored the equaliser before setting up Oscar Bobb's stoppage-time winner.

"I think everyone agrees we put in a real good performance today," Guardiola said in his pre-match press conference. "We played in St James' Park against Newcastle, the most physical team.

"They made transitions when we concede two goals and the keeper saved the ball and they make two passes - like Liverpool. if we didn't perform like we did today then we would not win.

"At half-time, I said to the players 'you are amazing. stick with it and we will do it'. But it was the same against Spurs, Palace, Liverpool. We drop points and at that moment it's a big crisis for us."

Guardiola's men moved within two points of league leaders Liverpool as they go in search of their fourth successive Premier League title.

Newcastle, meanwhile, suffered a sixth league defeat in seven matches, a run that has seen them slip to 10th in the table.

"No words to describe the performance," the Spaniard added. We are judged on the performance. A win will be judged. The mentality and what we are able to do. We proved our qualities.

"That was really good, sometimes it is better winning that way for the team, for everything. Incredible team the way we played with a huge personality.

"They showed me they want to be there, to fight until the end that they want to retain the title."