Guardiola says Man City players showed title desire in last-gasp Newcastle win

Pep Guardiola declared his players had shown him their title-winning desire as they dug deep to complete a last-minute turnaround and win 3-2 at Newcastle.

The Premier League champions, who won only one out of six matches in the Premier League before their Club World Cup victory in December, have now picked up maximum points in each of their three league games since their return from Saudi Arabia.

Saturday's win at St James' Park was easily their most testing, trailing 2-1 with 16 minutes to go before the returning Kevin De Bruyne proved vital for their comeback victory with a goal and an assist to lift them two points off leaders Liverpool.

City's hopes of a fifth Premier League crown from six seasons had looked in real jeopardy in mid-December, when a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace gave Arsenal and Liverpool the opportunity to move respectively five and six points ahead of them.

But not for the first time in recent years, City have bounced back from being written off to put themselves firmly back in the title race, with Guardiola paying tribute to his players' mentality after their latest victory.

"That was really good, sometimes it is better winning that way for the team, for everything," he told BBC Sport. "It was incredible from the team, the way we played with a huge personality.

"They showed me they want to be there, to fight until the end that they want to retain the title."

In his press conference, he added: "I had the feeling we would do it, with the way we played against Huddersfield I felt the team was alive.

"We won five of the last six, why not? Of course, it's important because Liverpool are flying - and we have to still go to Anfield so it's better to be close to them."

Guardiola is relieved to have "special