Eddie Howe has challenged his Newcastle United players to prove Man City boss Pep Guardiola right by being 'contenders' this season.
Newcastle are currently flying high in fourth place following a superb start to the season. The Magpies, who are unbeaten in eight, have won five of their last six games and have only suffered one defeat this season, against Liverpool, back in August.
That progress has certainly not gone unnoticed. While some Premier League managers have been unnerved by Newcastle's rise - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp sarcastically congratulated Howe's side on having 'no ceiling' last month - Guardiola has always been complimentary.
