LONDON • Pep Guardiola's 100th Premier League game had looked to be a mere formality after Sergio Aguero's opener against Newcastle after only 24 seconds - the quickest Premier League goal this season.
However, his players failed to build on their lightning start as Manchester City slumped to a shock 2-1 loss at St James' Park on Tuesday to put their title defence in jeopardy.
Although Guardiola, who is now facing the hardest challenge of his stewardship, insisted post-game the title race was not over as "there are still many games and anything can happen", there seemed to be a hint of resignation with leaders Liverpool in the box seat.
He said: "We had a chance today to reduce the lead. Tomorrow is a game for our opponents. When you are behind, you have to win games and we couldn't do that."
Denying that the English champions had underestimated Newcastle, he added: "We'd never do that and that's the reason why we're still in four competitions. That's why we recorded 100 points last season.
"It's just sometimes, we don't play at the level we want to play and that can happen, that's something I understand completely."
But after admitting "it was not our best night" with their flat and careless display on Tyneside, talk of an unprecedented quadruple will be on the back-burner for now .
The Spaniard said: "I know the challenge is big, being in all competitions is what it is. If you want to go up as a club, you have to accept that challenge. I prefer to be in that position."
THERE IS STILL TIME
A lead of seven points is a lot but we're not in April or May. There are a lot of tough games to play against sides trying to stay in this division, or playing to get into the Europa League or the Champions League.
PEP GUARDIOLA, Man City manager, keeping his chin up despite expecting Liverpool to beat Leicester last night.
It must have come as a real surprise to him after a sluggish City conceded for the first time since Roberto Firmino netted on Jan 3. It was a series of 30 unanswered strikes before Salomon Rondon's and Matt Ritchie's spot kick on Tuesday.
Guardiola added: "We didn't make a good performance. We didn't take the rhythm of the game, it was slow and we weren't aggressive enough.
"The game was not good. We did not defend the second ball well, we have to improve."
Conceding "next week will be tough" - City have to play Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in seven days - he challenged his side to rise to the occasion as there were "a lot of titles and points to play for".
The 48-year-old also attempted to put a spin on the upset and their tricky run of upcoming fixtures as they "were still in January", and so, there could be plenty more twists and turns in Liverpool's bid to end a 29-year wait to win the league.
He said: "There's a lot of time but of course, when you're behind the leaders, you don't want to drop points and every game is one less.
"A lead of seven points is a lot but we're not in April or May. There are a lot of tough games to play against sides trying to stay in this division, or playing to get into the Europa League or the Champions League.
"In our case, we will do our best to be there and not to give up."
With City's unremitting pressing and cutting interplay curiously absent against Rafa Benitez's men, it meant he also missed out on an outright record of achieving most wins in the league era by any manager in their first 100 games.
Instead, he will now share that landmark with his old rival and former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, who won 73 of his first 100 games with Chelsea.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman said on Tuesday the club will pay the fee for striker Emiliano Sala if they are contractually required to do so. Sala had signed for the Premier League side and was flying to his new team from his old club Nantes in France when his plane went missing over the Channel on January 21.
Cardiff to pay Sala fee if necessary - Report | New Straits
Cristiano Ronaldo was fined almost €19 million ($21.6 million) for tax fraud on Tuesday but will avoid serving a 23-month prison sentence. The Juventus forward, who played for Real Madrid from
Ronaldo fined, not jailed for tax fraud - theworldnews.net
The player put 4.85 million into his bag to secure the chip lead into the final day of the tournament at Harrah's Cherokee. Brand is vying for his second gold ring from the series. But winning the piece will be quite the challenge as there are five other previous gold ring winners left in the hunt for the top prize.
2019 WSOP Circuit - HARRAH'S NEW ORLEANS
Football: Arsene Wenger hails Leeds' Marcelo Bielsa for sportsmanship in Aston Villa draw. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa asked his players to allow the visitors to score unchallenged when the game was
Wenger hails Leeds' Bielsa for sportsmanship in Villa draw
We must beat Liverpool to stay in title race: Guardiola
Queiroz livid despite rout Super User - Jan 09, 2019. Carlos Quieroz praises Iran focus after flying start Super User - Jan 08, 2019. Carlos Queiroz among Well
Brazilian football fans still behind their team despite rout
Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (C) celebrates with defender Jan Vertonghen (L) and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (R) during the EPL match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at
Kane and Lloris rescue point for Spurs against Arsenal
Football: Tottenham set for kick-off at new stadium to hopefully usher in a glorious new era A general view of the exterior of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. PHOTO: AFP
Liverpool must keep spending big to usher in new era of glory
That should see Hazard return to his favoured role on the left side of a front three, and Sarri wants more from the man voted the second best player at last year's World Cup. "In this moment, he's more an individual player than a leader," said Sarri on Wednesday. "He is very important for us, of course, because he is a great player.
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard
LONDON • Regardless of claiming that Tottenham's English Premier League title hopes are over, Mauricio Pochettino believes his gamers will nonetheless be motivated to offer their greatest shot after they host Arsenal at Wembley at present.
Coventry: U23s extra motivated for London Stadium Arsenal
Jordan Henderson is adamant Liverpool head into Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final, first-leg showdown with Chelsea brimming with the confidence and belief they can take a step closer to Wembley. The Reds welcome the Londoners to Anfield on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run in all
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has returned to football after being unveiled as the new manager of Inter Milan, with the Italian signing an undisclosed contract with the club to replace
Antonio Conte: Inter Milan appoint ex-Chelsea manager - bbc.co.uk
How The Premier League Title Race And Top-Four Battle Will Be Decided landing but United need to make it that far with their hopes still alive. Chelsea have must-win matches against
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