Guardiola: Man City 'incredible' despite Newcastle defeat

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola won’t be losing any sleep over his side’s League Cup defeat to Newcastle United.

It’s the first time the Catalan coach has overseen a third round defeat in the competition, which he has won four times previously. It means the club cannot repeat the domestic treble of 2018/19, nor can they complete the first ever quadruple.

Regardless, Guardiola praised his side’s performance in a game that was decided by Alexander Isak’s 53rd-minute goal at St, James’ Park.

“We played an incredible game,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “They increased after the break and were more aggressive. They scored a goal. Last season we were out against Southampton and not there but tonight we were. Congratulations to Newcastle.

“They start to be more aggressive. Yeah, it was a tight game and the players who played played really good. It is football. The way we played in the first half and second half was amazing. But they played aggressive to win the game.

“I leave comfortable with how we played, no injuries and minutes for Mateo [Kovacic] and Jack [Grealish].”

Oscar Bobb, who was making his first start for Man City on Wednesday night, put in a “perfect” shift, according to Guardiola, while there was also praise for Kalvin Phillips after the former Leeds United midfielder stepped in for the suspended Rodri.

“[Phillips was] very good. It was really, really good. We will see. Go home and rest and we see [for next few games].”

Newcastle will travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the next round of the Carabao Cup in October.

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