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Pep Guardiola praises ‘massive’ victory as Man City close in on leaders Arsenal

Nico O’Reilly struck twice as City cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

By contributor Andy Hampson, Press Association
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Supporting image for story: Pep Guardiola praises ‘massive’ victory as Man City close in on leaders Arsenal
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, right, described the Newcastle as ‘massive’ (Martin Rickett/PA)

Pep Guardiola hailed a “massive” win after title-chasing Manchester City held on for a crucial yet nervy victory over Newcastle on Saturday.

Nico O’Reilly struck twice as City edged out the Magpies 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to two points.

Manager Guardiola now wants his players to focus on their next game, at Leeds next Saturday, without getting distracted by the wider title picture.

Manchester City players celebrate
Manchester City cut the gap on Arsenal’s lead to two points (Martin Rickett/PA)

The City boss said: “It was massive. Newcastle are an incredible team.

“That game today is what we are going to face in the next 11. Every game will be like that, a battle.

“Now we have three days off. I say to them ‘what you have to do is take a lot of caipirinhas and daiquiris in these next three days, enjoy life’, and then we make proper sessions and go to Leeds.

“That is the proper way. If we say ‘we win this, then Arsenal do this or Aston Villa’… (you get a) slap in the face and what you thought (would happen), the opposite happens.

Nico O’Reilly
Nico O’Reilly scored a brace to help City to victory (Martin Rickett/PA)

“I know how difficult it will be. Just win the next game, keep going, never give up. Ten games is a lot in the Premier League. Many things are going to happen.”

Buoyed by Arsenal’s unexpected draw against Wolves in midweek, the game began amid a raucous atmosphere.

The mood was more anxious by the end as Newcastle pressed late on, but Guardiola felt the crowd helped City to the three points.

“The vibe and the connection with our fans today was the best of the season,” he said. “We have five (home) games left in the Premier League and we need that vibe.”

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe was happy with Newcastle’s display at the Etihad Stadium (Martin Rickett/PA)

O’Reilly’s double came either side of a deflected Lewis Hall equaliser, rewarding City for a strong first-half showing but Newcastle – having returned from a midweek game in Azerbaijan – proved a different proposition after the break.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said: “It was a good effort from the lads physically. It has been a really tough run of fixtures for us.

“Every time we enter the pitch I want the players to empty, to give everything. I can’t ask for any more.

“For their two goals I don’t think we defended well enough and we made individual errors but, considering everything we have put into the last few weeks, that was a good performance.”