Guardiola: Newcastle emerging as major force

NEWCASTLE, England－Pep Guardiola said Newcastle is now one of the English Premier League's toughest tests after Manchester City was forced to come from 3-1 down to salvage a 3-3 draw from an enthralling encounter on Sunday.

The Magpies have not splashed the cash of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to the extent expected in the transfer window, but had the champion on the ropes through goals from Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier.

"We said before the game we wanted to go toe-to-toe with them and that's what we did," Trippier said. "It just shows how far we've come."

Erling Haaland sparked City's fightback before Bernardo Silva secured a point.

City moved up to second, two points adrift of Arsenal, but missed the chance to open up a seven-point advantage on Liverpool ahead of its trip to Manchester United on Monday.

Guardiola, though, was happy to salvage a point from St. James' Park.

"Newcastle is becoming one of the toughest opponents for sure," said Guardiola.

"Leeds beat Chelsea today. The Premier League is so difficult for everyone. You have to live this experience to know how amazing we've done for five years and how difficult it will be.

"To see the team fight to the end is enough."

Newcastle had taken four points from its opening two games without conceding a goal. That record was wiped out within five minutes as City quickly took control.

Silva was recalled to Guardiola's starting lineup for the first time in the Premier League this season with the midfielder linked with a move to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Portuguese international made an immediate impact as his cross was controlled and finished by Ilkay Gundogan.

But Newcastle's intensity and energy soon swarmed over City with the pace of Allan Saint-Maximin causing havoc.

"It was an incredible game and a roller coaster of emotions," said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

"We went 1-0 down which is the worst possible start against this team because then you have to chase the game but I think the players responded brilliantly.

"For the neutral, I'm sure it was an incredible game but we needed something from the game and the players deserved it."

Almiron's revenge

Newcastle's pressure got its reward on 28 minutes and it was a sweet moment for Almiron, who was mocked by City forward Jack Grealish during City's title celebrations at the end of last season.

The Paraguayan's finish was unorthodox as Saint-Maximin's cross came off his thigh to leave Ederson with no chance.

Saint-Maximin was the creator again as Newcastle turned the game around before halftime, with Wilson latching onto the Frenchman's pass and prodding beyond Ederson.

Haaland had been kept quiet before the break but exploded into life with the smallest glimpse of an opportunity in the second half and came within inches of an equalizer as his fierce low shot was turned onto the post by Nick Pope.

Moments later, City looked destined for a first Premier League defeat since February when Trippier curled a brilliant freekick into the top corner after John Stones resorted to hauling down Saint-Maximin on the edge of the box.

Haaland's predatory instincts were on full show as he started the comeback by firing into the roof of the net when Rodri knocked a set-piece back across goal.

The Norwegian then showed his electric pace by bursting onto a Kevin De Bruyne through-ball and forced Pope to come flying off this line to block.

De Bruyne's next defense-splitting pass led to the equalizer as Silva produced a composed finish to level at 3-3.

The drama did not end there, even if the scoring did, as Trippier had a straight red card for a late lunge on De Bruyne reduced to a yellow after a VAR review.

But City failed to turn its momentum into a winner in the closing stages as it blinked for the first time in its title defense.

Chelsea humbled

Chelsea suffered its first Premier League defeat this season as Edouard Mendy's embarrassing blunder put Leeds on course for a 3-0 win, while Brighton condemned West Ham to a third successive loss (2-0) on Sunday.

Mendy's costly mistake was the catalyst for Chelsea's shocking implosion at Elland Road as Brenden Aaronson netted after catching the goalkeeper taking too long in possession.

Rodrigo's fourth goal in three games this season doubled Leeds' advantage before halftime.

Jack Harrison completed Leeds' first win over Chelsea since 2002 and its biggest against its old rival since 1995.

Adding to the Blues' misery, Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off for a second booking after tripping Joe Gelhardt in the 84th minute.

"Everything that can go wrong, did go wrong. It started yesterday. We had no plane to arrive so we came on the bus. The players could fly but for the coaching staff it was a long ride on the bus. It continued today. We lost the game in the first 20 minutes, where we were clearly better and had huge chances," Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said.

"If we give goals away like this that are totally unnecessary, and when we are totally in charge, we cannot win football matches.

"What do you expect if you present two goals to an opponent in the Premier League? We give goals away from huge individual errors too often."

Unbeaten after three games, Leeds sits second in the table as boss Jesse Marsch builds on the momentum established during the club's successful fight to avoid relegation last season.

Agencies