Pep Guardiola’s upbeat message urging Newcastle United fans to stay positive following a 4-0 shellacking in December has proven true. Five months ago, the relegation picture looked bleak on Tyneside as Manchester City’s star-studded champions toyed with the Magpies throughout an emphatic victory.
Newcastle started Matt Ritchie and Jacob Murphy as full-backs in a four-man defence - an exposed wound due to injuries that allowed the title favourites to penetrate United’s backline easily. Defeat left Eddie Howe’s troops three points adrift from safety despite playing two games more than 17th-placed Watford.
Bizarrely, Guardiola condemned his side’s performance but offered comfort to home supporters as the season approached its midpoint. A proclamation, as it turned out, which soon came true.
