‘The worst’ - Pep Guardiola makes fresh Newcastle United claim 72 hours after full-time
Pep Guardiola called Ilkay Gundogan’s performance against Newcastle United “one of the worst” he has produced following Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava.
Eddie Howe’s men managed to hold the Premier League champions to a 1-1 draw at the weekend. Gundogan, who rejoined City from Barcelona in the summer, started the contest but was withdrawn after 66 minutes.
The German kept his place for last night’s Champions League clash and opened the scoring on eight minutes. As expected, Man City eventually ran riot against a team sitting top of the Slovak Super Liga.
Erling Haaland’s customary goal was sandwiched between Phil Foden’s and James McAtee’s strikes. Speaking post-match, City boss Guardiola hailed Gundogan while taking aim at his performance on Saturday.
"Yeah, today he played at the level that we know he can do it,” the Spaniard said. “He has a strong mentality, the game against Newcastle was not really, really good, one of the worst I’ve ever seen from him in the past eight or nine years, but it happens.
"It’s rhythm, it’s why he needs to play. In his position, holding midfielder, he is so intelligent and apart from his goal he made a fantastic game.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle entertained AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup 1,255 miles and were able to field a weakened side against lower-league opposition. Fabian Schar bagged the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to book the Magpies a place in the fourth round.
Chelsea await Newcastle in the next round, with the Blues looking to correct an abysmal record at St James' Park in recent years. The game is set to take place just days after the two teams meet at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.