Pep Guardiola name drops 10 Newcastle United players in fascinating post-match tangent

Pep Guardiola has once again spoken highly about Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.
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Pep Guardiola hailed Newcastle United as an “exceptional team” - and expects Eddie Howe’s side to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title in the near future.

The Magpies caused Guardiola’s side problems at the Etihad Stadium but were left to rue a lack of clinical edge as the home side ran out 2-0 winners. Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 15th minute before substitute Bernardo Silva added a second midway through the second half.

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During his post-match press conference, Guardiola was asked if Newcastle’s chances - namely from Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson in the first-half - concerned him. The Spaniard went off on a tangent, name-dropping 10 Magpies players.

“It’s Newcastle,” said Guardiola. “They are an exceptional team.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (left) & Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (left) & Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (left) & Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

“Set pieces with Kieran Trippier. Every corner, free kick... you have to look to the sky. They have threats in the transitions… Gordon, Saint-Maximin. Wilson keeping the ball. And after Isak. Bruno Guimares is a top-class midfielder. Longstaff and Joelinton have physicality. Schar was not there today but what a central defender. Pope is an international goalkeeper for England.

“They played in the final of the Carabao Cup one week ago, and all season they have been in the top four or five. What do you expect? It’s normal.

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“After, we got into the game with a brilliant action from Phil. We were a little bit lucky with the deflection. We missed that a bit this season. His positivity. We make a really good first half.

“The second, they start really well and we break the game. That moment we bring on Bernardo. He helps us to make possessions longer. That was part of our intuition. To always take the ball, he has this incredible ability.

“We won the game, didn’t suffer much at the end. An incredible result for us. A tricky game.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Seventeen points now separate the two clubs in the league table, with City in second and United in fifth, but Guardiola expects that gap to shorten dramatically in the coming seasons.

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“Their (Newcastle) threat is not a surprise, there is a reason why they were in the Carabao Cup final and for a lot of minutes they were better than United,” said the former Barcelona manager.

“This team and this club in the next few years will be a threat for the title.”

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