‘That’s why’ - Pep Guardiola explains what happened with fan disagreement in Man City win vs Newcastle

Pep Guardiola was seen arguing with a fan during the latter stages of Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

The treble-winners, back in front of their home fans for the first time since those triumphs at Wembley and the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in June, celebrated their trophy haul from 2022/23 ahead of the game, with all three bits of silverware on display at the side of the pitch while banners were also unfurled to mark the occasion.

When the action got going, City dominated proceedings and limited Newcastle to just one shot on target throughout the 90 - even that was a speculative effort from distance that failed to test Ederson. Julian Alvarez got the only goal in the 31st minute, which wrapped up all three points for City

Yet one fan obviously felt Guardiola had got things wrong as the game entered the final knockings, and the City boss was caught remonstrating with the supporter, and seemed to be indicating the fan should come and take his place in the dugout.

Asked about it after the game, the City boss made light of the whole situation. “He asked me to make a substitution. I asked him which one, I didn’t know it. It was a joke,” explained the former Barcelona boss.

“I thought Rico [Lewis], Kalvin [Phillips] and Cole [Palmer] to maybe be a part of that, but I saw the team in that moment were alive. In that game, sometimes the rhythm was difficult.

“I know they were tired but tired but they were still there and fighting every ball. The managers have the option to make the substitutions but the manager decides whether to apply or not. I thought less substitutions would be less extra time so that’s why.”

Guardiola also said he was delighted with the performance against Newcastle, particularly given the lack of preparation time after the European Super Cup in midweek.

“We played really good, we deserved to win, we could have scored more goals and against Newcastle,” he opined. “Last season and this season, the difference of the winner's teams is the mentality.

“This group of players for many years they have done it and today, again and again, nothing changes in terms of results with title contenders. It is ridiculous to talk about. I know we are tired, I know we are not in the best condition and have five or six important players out but it is what it is.

“This is the challenge. The Premier League decided to play today. Okay, we accept the challenge. There are days that one manager is more pleased than the other because we could draw or lose. The way we behaved was extraordinary.”