EPL: Guardiola Praises O'Reilly's 'Clinical' Display
Young midfielder Nico O'Reilly impresses in Manchester City's 2-1 win over Newcastle, earning praise from Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City is making a strong comeback under Pep Guardiola, aiming for their seventh English title...
Pep Guardiola is thrilled with Manchester City's 2-1 win over Newcastle, calling it a “massive” moment in the Premier League title race. The victory brings City to within two points of leaders Arsenal, setting up a thrilling finale to the season. Guardiola praised his team's performance, highlighting their physicality and speed, despite not being at their best in the second half.
Nico O'Reilly's brace, including a header from Erling Haaland's cross, secured the win for City. Guardiola singled out O'Reilly for praise, citing his physicality and composure in the middle of the park.
Erling Haaland restored City's lead before halftime, just after Lewis Hall had equalized. City's form dipped in the second half, but they managed to hold on, adding pressure to struggling Arsenal. Pep Guardiola knew it was crucial to make Arsenal uncomfortable ahead of their north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
“Massive. Newcastle is an incredible team, awesome in physicality and speed they have up front. Physicality in the middle. Really tough but the team was unbelievable,” he said.
“It's coming in best part of the season. Every single game will be similar to today.”
Manchester City is making a strong comeback under Pep Guardiola, aiming for their seventh English title. After a trophy-less last season, they're currently second in the Premier League, just two points behind leaders Arsenal. Guardiola's team has won their last two matches, including a 2-1 win over Newcastle, and they're looking to capitalize on Arsenal's inconsistent form.
Manchester City is set to take on Arsenal in a thrilling title showdown, with the Citizens having a game in hand after this weekend's matches. If City wins its remaining 11 league matches, they're guaranteed to snatch the title, putting immense pressure on Arsenal.
🚨🗣️ Pep Guardiola: "The Premier League title race with Arsenal? I didn't speak one second about that with my players."
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) February 20, 2026
"Yesterday and the day before, it's just Newcastle, Newcastle, and Newcastle. I didn't talk about the table, I didn't talk about our position. I could not… pic.twitter.com/701Q3XRVI1
Pep Guardiola has been revamping City's squad, investing heavily in new talent over the past 12 months. He's bid farewell to veteran players like Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, and Kyle Walker, welcoming fresh faces like Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo, and Rayan Cherki to the team.
Pep Guardiola knows his young City squad lacks experience in high-pressure title races, making their gritty Newcastle win even more valuable. The Spaniard is likely using this as a learning curve, building momentum for the final stretch.
“70 percent of the players have never been in that situation, and I don't play. So we have to live it, they know that every game will be like this,” he said.
“Especially at home, with five home games left. Today was the best crowd of the year, it was unbelievable with our people, really proud to be manager of these incredible people and fans.
“Of course in terms of points it's important, but we have to improve to have chance to compete until the end. Now we deserve three more days off. Then another battle in Leeds.”
Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Nico O'Reilly, saying the young England midfielder's two clinical finishes against Newcastle showed he's unfazed by the pressure of chasing Arsenal. O'Reilly's standout performance was a boost for City, and Guardiola's confidence in him could see more big things from the talented midfielder.
“Nico give us in the middle that physicality that we need. He now plays in his position,” he said.
“He has always played that, he is so complete and so young. I am really pleased the academy produced these incredible players, Nico, Phil (Foden), Rico (Lewis).”
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