Pep Guardiola hailed a “massive” win after title-chasing Manchester City held on for a vital but nervy victory over Newcastle on Saturday.
Nico O’Reilly struck twice as City edged out the Magpies 2-1 on the Etihad Stadium to chop Arsenal’s lead on the prime of the Premier League to 2 factors.
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Manager Guardiola now needs his gamers to focus on their subsequent recreation, at Leeds subsequent Saturday, with out getting distracted by the broader title image.
The City boss stated: “It was massive. Newcastle are an incredible team.
“That recreation right now is what we’re going to face within the subsequent 11. Every recreation might 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 right manner. If we are saying ‘we win this, then Arsenal do that or Aston Villa’ … [you get a] slap within the face and what you thought [would happen], the other occurs.
“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 surprising draw in opposition to Wolves in midweek, the sport started amid a raucous ambiance.
The temper was extra anxious by the top as Newcastle pressed late on, however Guardiola felt the gang helped City to the three factors.
“The vibe and the connection with our fans today was the best of the season,” he stated. “We have five [home] games left in the Premier League and we need that vibe.”
O’Reilly’s double got here both facet of a deflected Lewis Hall equaliser, rewarding City for a powerful first-half exhibiting.
“The win was the most important thing,” O’Reilly stated. “Try to close the gap as well as apply as much pressure as possible, but [I’m] also very happy with the two goals.
“It’s loads of video games to go, we simply must take every recreation because it comes.”
PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
