Pep Guardiola believes that his Manchester City side displayed the hunger to retain their Premier League title this season after coming from behind to beat Newcastle United 3-2 at St James' Park on Saturday.
The Citizens, who lost goalkeeper Ederson to injury in the eighth minute, opened the scoring courtesy of a superb backheel goal from Bernardo Silva just before the half-hour mark, but they entered half time 2-1 down after Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon netted two similar strikes within the space of two minutes.
However, Man City responded well after the interval and Kevin De Bruyne marked his first Premier League appearance since August with an inspired display as a substitute, slotting home a classy side-footed finish less than five minutes after entering the field of play before setting up Oscar Bobb for a 91st-minute winner to ensure the champions claimed three crucial points.
Man City have climbed up to second in the Premier League table and have moved to within two points of leaders Liverpool, who are next in action a week next Sunday away against Bournemouth.
Guardiola was delighted with his side's performance against Newcastle and believes they have the desire to push for a record fourth successive Premier League crown.
Speaking to Match of the Day after the match, Guardiola said: "[The performance] was really good, sometimes it is better winning that way for the team, for everything.
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"Incredible team the way we played with a huge personality. They showed me they want to be there, to fight until the end that they want to retain the title."
"No words to describe the performance. We are judged on the performance. A win will be judged. The mentality and what we are able to do. We proved our qualities," Guardiola said in a separate interview with TNT Sports.
"It was weird but we took the game in our control, we arrived in small pockets really well. We conceded two goals on the transition, they are similar to Liverpool. Stick to the plan, continue to do it and the magic from Kevin and Oscar came."
Discussing the performance of De Bruyne, Guardiola sarcastically added: "I'm so grumpy and upset with Kevin because his first touch was a free kick and he couldn't score.
The Catalan continued: "Phil Foden was outstanding. Everyone was really good. When opponents are more tired, Kevin and Oscar provide another pace at the end.
"Oscar's was a fantastic goal for the control. We were really impressed in pre-season, I knew from information for the second team he was special. When Kevin has the ball and we have runners, Kevin is unique in the world but the finish by Oscar, I am so, so happy for him."
Meanwhile, Man City academy graduate Bobb has revealed that he has achieved "a lifelong dream" after scoring his first Premier League goal, and he has dedicated his strike in the victory at Newcastle to the Citizens supporters.
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"It's an amazing feeling," said the 20-year-old. "Just watching from the bench it was a high tempo match. When I got the shout that I was coming on, the manager told me to go on and score, thankfully I could do that.
"It's a lifelong dream [to score in the Premier League]. To do it with the best team in the world, I can't explain it. We could hear them [City fans] all game. They helped us a lot today. We have to say thank you, this win is for them."
"To play with [De Bruyne] is great," Bobb added. "I said thank you to him after (for the assist). He's the only one in the world who can do that.
"Not only one of the greatest players in the Premier League, he's a nice guy too and helps the young players a lot. He's one of our captains. He definitely helps the team."
De Bruyne, who has moved into joint-third on the Premier League's all-time assist list, has commented on his return to the first team following a five-month spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Man City now have a 10-day break before facing Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup, while their next Premier League game is at home to Burnley on January 31.
Oliver Thomas
