Pep Guardiola blames ‘brilliant’ Newcastle player after frustrating draw at St. James’ Park

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola was left frustrated by his side’s failure to capitalize on their chances, mainly due to Nick Pope’s brilliance in the Newcastle United goal, Soccernet.football reports.

City dominated possession but appeared exposed at the back, as Newcastle frequently exploited the right wing. Jacob Murphy sent a dangerous cross skimming across the box, before Kieran Trippier saw his shot blocked by a lunging Jack Grealish.

However, against the run of play, City took the lead with ten minutes left in the first half as Grealish beat Trippier and passed to Gvardiol, who cut inside Dan Burn and calmly placed a shot into the bottom corner.

The Magpies got an opportunity to get back into the game when Ederson tripped Gordon as he attempted to round the City goalkeeper. The winger dusted himself up and confidently converted the spot-kick, leveling matters just before the hour mark.

The champions also saw their streak of 14 consecutive PL matches with multiple goals come to an end as Erling Haaland fired a blank for the first time in the league this season while Nick Pope made an excellent late save from Bernardo Silva.

A frustrated Guardiola told TNT Sports; “We made bad decisions at the last minute to make it 2-0. It is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep.

“We had chances but Pope was brilliant so we take the point.

“When we scored we played better. We make a mistake and after they play better. But then we take the game again and had chances to win it.

“They had moments in first ten minutes and after their goal, but in general we played really good.”

However, Guardiola was full of praise for City’s midfielders, with Rodri’s season-ending knee injury leaving him in search of a long-lasting solution.

“Mateo [Kovacic] was brilliant, Rico [Lewis] too. Bernardo played there. Really good,” Guardiola said.