I have not given up despite Newcastle defeat–Guardiola

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has vowed to keep fighting for a title which seems to be slipping from his grasp after losing 2-1 to Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Sergio Aguero gave City the lead after just 24 seconds but the form which had seen Guardiola’s side score 31 goals this month deserted them, allowing the Geordies to hit back for a vital win.

“It is January,” he said. “We still have a lot of games left and points to play for.

“But when you are behind the leaders, you do not want to drop points.

“Seven points is a lot but it is not as if it is April or May.

“We will not give up and will try our best in every game.”

The City chief accepted his side were below par as second-half goals by Salomon Rondon and Matt Ritchie earned Newcastle their first league win over them since 2005.

“We were not at our best,” he added. “That sometimes happens. I can understand that.“We did not play like we normally do.”

“We scored an early goal and created chances early in the second half but couldn’t score a second and they equalised.”