Pep Guardiola has branded Eddie Howe ‘a top manager’, ahead of today’s Premier League game between Newcastle United and Manchester City.
Newcastle are looking to bounce back after a 3-1 defeat in midweek to Liverpool.
The Magpies fell short against the Reds, and things do not get any easier with reigning champions City today’s opponents. And they have a full squad of players, barring Ferran Torres, to choose from.
City are in frightening form at the moment having won each of their last seven league matches.
Newcastle have still won just the one game in 2021/22. But Howe can restore some optimism if he can get anything today.
It is a huge ask, but Guardiola sang the Englishman’s praises ahead of the clash.
He said (Shields Gazette): “Now they have a new manager in Eddie, and we know what a good manager he is.
“They’ve had a tough start to the season. But they’re a good team with good players and a top manager, so we’ll go there and have to work hard for each other to win.”
Last season in this fixture, Newcastle were on the wrong end of a 4-3 thriller, with Torres bagging a hat-trick for the visitors.
Toon goals came from Emil Krafth, Joelinton via the penalty spot and Joe Willock.
Newcastle must take opposite approach to Leeds against Manchester City
Today, there will be no shame in Newcastle sitting in a low block and defending.
City have the quality to rip any team in the world apart. So Newcastle need to not allow them to cut through.
We saw how they decimated Leeds in midweek, with the Whites insisting on trying to play out from the back.
Newcastle need to try and follow Wolves’ recent example. Bruno Lage’s side were only beaten 1-0 in the end. And the winning goal only came after a penalty was wrongly given for handball.
They sat in and were organised and compact and it very nearly paid off.
Newcastle need points. The chances of taking any today are minimal, but not impossible if Howe’s side play in the right way.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
