Pep Guardiola and Bruno Guimaraesplaceholder image
Pep Guardiola and Bruno Guimaraes | Getty Images
Newcastle United v Manchester City: Sky Sports footage has revealed a confrontation between Pep Guardiola and Bruno Guimaraes.
Three goals in a wild seven minute period saw the game twist and turn as Harvey Barnes put them ahead, before Ruben Dias restored parity just moments later. However, Barnes was again on hand to turn the ball home from close range and nudge the hosts ahead.
That goal would prove to be enough to seal all three points for the hosts, but came with it a great deal of controversy after a very long VAR check. Much of the check centred on a potential offside as Guimaraes’ header rattled the crossbar, whilst City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma protested that he had been fouled before Barnes turned the ball home.
Sam Barrott was eventually instructed to award the goal - much to the relief of the vast majority inside St James’ Park. Guardiola’s men, however, were less than happy with that decision.
Barnes’ second ignited the flame in the game as St James’ Park willed Newcastle United to victory and, after eight minutes of full-throttle injury time, Eddie Howe’s side eventually sealed a precious three points. As Howe and his side celebrated, Guardiola was caught on camera in the middle of a pretty vocal confrontation with the Magpies captain.
Whilst initial footage seemed to suggest heated words between the pair, Guardiola was quick to clear the air post match, explaining to Sky Sports that he had simply told Guimaraes ‘how good he is’ during their mini-confrontation.
Pep Guardiola on ‘top side’ Newcastle United
Speaking post-match to Match of the Day, Guardiola was full of praise for Newcastle United, stating: “Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had.
“It was an entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn't win.”
Newcastle United’s celebrations of ending a dire run that had seen them lose successive games ahead of the break were contrasted with scenes of despair from the visitors after another defeat on the road. City remain four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, with that gap potentially increasing to seven depending on the result of the north London derby on Sunday.
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On his side’s mixed fortunes away from home, Guardiola added: “I'm pretty sure all of the teams prefer to play at home than away, we are not the exception for that. Always Newcastle have been difficult, even where they are low in the table and after two defeats in a row.
“After they clean the head and the mind and have ten days off, we can hit the good moments. We fought, the players were there, but we could not find the result.”
Both Manchester City and Newcastle United have just a few days to rest before they return to Champions League action in midweek. The Magpies face Marseille in France on Tuesday whilst the Citizens host Bayer Leverkusen - the side that Newcastle United will play in Germany next month.
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