Pep Guardiola celebrated a gritty 2-1 win over Newcastle by ordering his players to “enjoy life” with three days off and a round of cocktails.
The victory, secured by a Nico O’Reilly brace, moves Manchester City within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
While the performance lacked City’s usual “machine-like” fluency, Guardiola hailed the “best vibes of the season” and praised Erling Haaland as Man of the Match for his tireless work rate and the assist for the winner.
O’Reilly’s two-goal display as a makeshift attacker will surely catch the eye of England boss Thomas Tuchel.
Italian keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma mirrored his recent Anfield heroics with a vital stoppage-time save to deny Harvey Barnes.
Pressure now shifts to North London, where Arsenal face a must-win derby against Spurs following their midweek collapse against Wolves.
“We had to be a team at this stage of the season,” Guardiola remarked. With the win secured, the City boss is happy to let his squad trade the training pitch for caipirinhas and daiquiris—at least for the weekend.
