Guardiola Explains How Manchester City Beat Newcastle United

• Manchester City got the better of Newcastle United in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off
• The Citizens defeated the Magpies 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva
• Pep Guardiola has explained where the game was won for City against Eddie Howe's team

Manchester City closed the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table to two points after beating Newcastle United 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

Academy graduate Phil Foden opened the scoring in the first half before Portuguese attacker Bernardo Silva added a second midway through the first half to help City win and put pressure on Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola, who is looking to make it five Premier League titles after the game, explained important moments City better Newcastle and how they killed off their initial momentum in the second half.

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Football

City explains how City beat Newcastle

Speaking to Manchester City official website during his post-match conference, the Spanish manager pointed at a decent first half and killing the game in the second half as important moments where City won.

‘‘We had a really good first half, the second half they started really well but we broke the game. We won the game and didn't suffer much at the end. It's an incredible result for us. A tricky game,’’ he said.

City names Newcastle best team in the league

Pep is a master of mind games, and the result of the game proved he played a mind game on Newcastle United in his pre-match conference, which Metro UK quoted.

‘‘The threats, transitions, set pieces – they’re the best team in the league. They have not been here a long time [near the top four], and you always think they need time, but they have done exceptional recruitment, experienced players, exactly what they need,’’ he said.

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Guardiola rates Arsenal's title chances

Sports Brief earlier reported that Guardiola made an interesting prediction on Arsenal's title chances as the race for the title heats up between Pep and his former assistant Mikel Arteta.

He pointed at Arsenal'ss involvement in the UEFA Europa League, where they will face Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16, as a factor that could take a toll on the Gunners.