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Pep Guardiola explains post-match scenes with Bruno Guimaraes after Newcastle beat Man City

Pep Guardiola explains those gone viral post-match scenes with Bruno Guimaraes after Newcastle beat Man City 2-1 on Saturday night.

Harvey Barnes scored twice in six second-half minutes to give the Magpies all three points, making it Eddie Howe’s first ever win against Pep Guardiola. Ruben Dias scored the leveller in between Barnes’ two goals.

Tempers boiled over after the final whistle, with Joelinton and Gianluigi Donnarumma needing to be pulled apart after a heated exchange.

Pep Guardiola had a conversation with Bruno Guimaraes, then Man City boss Guardiola then confronted referee Samuel Barrott over a number of rejected penalty appeals and the non-call on Donnarumma for Barnes’ winner.

In frustration, Guardiola then pushed away a TV camera and removed the operator’s headphones, then when speaking to the media, he downplayed everything, saying “everything is fine,” while Eddie Howe said that he had “no idea” what sparked the clashes.

The result sees Newcastle up to 14th with 15 points from 12 games played, while Man City are 3rd with 22 points from 12 games played, blowing their chance to close the gap with leaders Arsenal, who play Tottenham on Sunday.

Shamoon Hafez (reporter at St James’ Park, via BBC Sport): “Pep Guardiola shook Eddie Howe’s hands then goes marching straight onto the pitch. A brief word in Savinho’s ear then you know who he is hunting out, referee Sam Barrott. There are some frustrations being aired at the final whistle too, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has to be dragged away.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports: “Tight game. Chances. Entertaining game. At the end they scored two goals and we scored one. (Our performance) was really good in general. We had chances. In the second half we had more chances but unfortunately today we could not finish.”

What was the message at half-time? “It was good. keep going. I know that the intensity and high pressing is really good and unfortunately we could not, in the second half when we had chances, they won duels. They provoked this kind of game and it was difficult.”

On the VAR decisions: “I didn’t see it. I didn’t see it.

On Donnarumma’s complaints “You see him complain and that is because something wrong happened. It happened the same at Bournemouth.

On the second half: “The momentum. We had the momentum. We scored quick after they scored and then they scored again from a corner.”

What did you say to Bruno Guimaraes at full-time? “I said how good he is (but that conversation) is for private situations. Everything is fine.”

Pep speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Newcastle is a top side, top players, top manager so unfortunately tonight we could not make the momentum that we had. It was entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn’t win.

On the first half being goalless: “Both keepers were good and after we missed chances. It was an entertaining game with many chances. We were closer in the beginning.”

On the second Newcastle goal: “It happened in the Bournemouth game and it happened today again. It is what it is after VAR decided. They know perfectly.”

On the frustration of dropping points: “Always but it is a football game and the opponent is playing and they played good too.”

On speaking to the referee at full time: “No questions, everything is fine.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: “That doesn’t sound good that, 19 games. I’m well aware of my record against Manchester City, that is something I take no pride in really. Trying to figure out a way to beat them is very, very difficult.

“Even today’s game, it was so tight. The margins in Premier League games against them are so fine, but we came out on the right side today. I thought it was a great performance from the players, full of energy, heart and bravery. I’m delighted with how we played.”

On how he broke his duck against City: “The mindset was key and the attitude. The energy was back that was missing against Brentford and West Ham. Our running ability and power was there. Our technical ability was there too, which hasn’t always been the case.

“We were brave in our approach. We tried to be aggressive and we got rewarded that at times, they punish you for that at times, so you are always on a bit of a knife-edge against them. Thankfully Nick [Pope] made some good saves when needed them and we got the goals at good times.”

Howe on Harvey Barnes: “Two great goals for Harvey, he missed a couple in the first half, but he is always a player that gets chances and that is the great thing about him. When you put him on the team sheet you know there is going to be some moments.

“His first goal was an outstanding finish and that was probably the hardest of the ones he had today, found the corner with his right foot. The second one is about being in the right place at the right time. Two massive goals for us and hopefully that can lift us in the Premier League.”

On Woltemade: “Nick played his part today. I was really pleased he was getting the chance today. He has done really well to score with the chances he has had with us, but we need to create more for him and he needs to do better in some situations. They were there for him today and the goalkeeper has made a couple of saves to deny him, but it was very evident that he was a threat in the game.”

Newcastle forward Harvey Barnes speaking to Sky Sports: “Big result for us, one we definitely needed on the back of a few poor results. What a game to be involved. we really came out firing in the second half and it’s a massive three points.

“It’s football and the quicker you move on from missed chances, you quickly bounce back so it was forget [about it] and move on.”

On missed chances: “I agree, it’s one I’ve got to score. When you get in that position it is about getting it on target. In the game it is about finding that composure. You’ve got that horrible two minute wait to see whether it is offside or not.”

On going to the World Cup with Scotland: “That isn’t on my mind at the minute. There’s a long way to go until the summer and the club form for us hasn’t been there. My only focus was about the game tonight and the next period of games that we have got coming up. I can’t say there was any thought i that, it was just get the job done tonight which we did.”

Barnes speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It feels great [to be the matchwinner]. I don’t think I was the most popular man at half time. Glad to make up for it in the second half with a couple of good goals and it was a great win for us. Hopefully after today’s result we can kick on and go on a good run.

On his second goal: “It’s just about adjusting and finding any way to get it in. It’s horrible, that two minute wait for VAR but delighted when it is given to get back into the game. Showed good character to get ahead again. It’s a big win for us, it really is. To get the result against a top, top team, it gives you even more confidence.”

On the home form: “It’s a special place to play your football. Our big thing has been making teams uncomfortable to play here. The last couple of results have been disappointing, The quicker we can improve that form away from home, it will be a really big boost for us.”

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias speaking to Sky Sports: “It was difficult in all ways for both teams. It was a very intense game and chances both sides. We had loads of chances and didn’t score more and we have to do better there. They scored theirs and we have to do better.

“Everyone knows how strong they are at home. First game after internationals is a tricky one and we fought as well as we could.

“It’s always a period of adaptation. We simply have to do better.”

On the VAR calls: “I feel like the one in the first half with Phil [Foden] they said it was pretty clear but I don’t even go there. Of all the decisions, only the second goal we need to make it make sense. Where’s the sense in their player pushing our keeper out of the goal. What are we allowing and for how long? It’s more like sometimes you allow it and sometimes you don’t so what can you do? In the second goal Gigi (Donnarumma) is being pushed outside his area and there is no consequence.

“I have had a chance to see, I didn’t even see it out of the pitch. I had the chance to see the review and I think it is [Harvey] Barnes is pushing him away from the goal. We are so picky with certain contacts but then ones like this with the keeper, then they allow it. If this is the rule then fine. But then let us do the same. Back in the day it was a foul and now apparently it is allowed. It is one of them that when you lose people say you are trying to find excuses but today Newcastle were better. They deserved the win because of that. They were able to finish more chances than us. There needs to be a rule.”

On the end of the game: “We felt like we could finally push again.They are a strong side and then immediately after we scored, they went ahead again. By the end it was difficult to find spaces. We were fighting until the end but we keep on pushing.”

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