Man City boss Pep Guardiola has praised Eddie Howe as a “top manager” and thinks the St James’ Park atmosphere will be an important factor in Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash.
The Magpies have a horrendous record against this weekend’s opponents - losing 20 of their last 24 in all competitions - but have had improved success on home soil in recent years.
Last season, Steve Bruce’s Newcastle side battled hard against the champions-elect but ultimately fell short, losing 4-3 courtesy of a Ferran Torres hat-trick.
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In November 2019, Jonjo Shelvey’s last-gasp curler snatched the Magpies a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw as Bruce frustrated Guardiola’s superstars.
Rafa Benitez went one further the 10 months earlier when his Toon side overturned an early deficit to win 2-1, a loss that inspired Man. City to go on an emphatic 14-game winning run and pip Liverpool to the title.
Guardiola spoke about new Magpies boss Eddie Howe, his full-strength squad and Jack Grealish in his pre-match press conference.
On Eddie Howe & Newcastle
The former Barcelona manager recognised previous battles on Tyneside and acknowledged Newcastle as tough opponents despite the two sides contrasting league positions.
“It is not easy to go to Newcastle and get a result,” Guardiola said.
“We will need the whole team and hopefully we will be strong enough to get the points.
“Newcastle is a very tough opponent. People will talk about our place in the table or their place in the table but when you go to Newcastle you know what sort of game to expect.
“Now they have a new manager in Eddie [Howe] and we know what a good manager he is.
“They have had a tough start to the season but they are a good team with good players and a top manager so we will go there and have to work hard for each other to win the game.
“Every game in the Premier League is tough. Whether you are playing against teams at the top of the table or the bottom.
“Everyone wants to win every match and at this level you have to be prepared for this.
“Newcastle in their stadium with their fans behind them, they will be ready and they have the quality to hurt us if we don’t play at our best.”
On his squad selection
Unfortunately for Newcastle fans, Man City are set to have a strong squad to choose from, with only last season’s hero Ferran Torres ruled out.
Guardiola added: “Everyone is fit, it’s just Ferran (Torres) missing. Joao (Cancelo) is back after and we will travel to Newcastle with everyone ready to play.
“What is most important is the next game. And the next one and the next one.
“We try not to look too much behind us because when you do that, you lose your focus. It is important not to look at our last result and think ‘we are there’.
On Jack Grealish
Guardiola singled out £100million record-buy Jack Grealish ahead of the game for his dazzling display against Leeds in midweek.
“Jack (Grealish) is an outstanding player,” he said.
“He has so much quality and has played so well for us.
“It is important for every player to feel like they are contributing with goals but he has been playing well all season and we know what to expect from him.
“It takes time to get used to a new team, a new way of playing but Jack knows what he has to do and we will continue to see this.”
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