Man City proved Mikel Arteta right vs Newcastle and it could win them the title

If this is indeed Pep Guardiola's last stand at Manchester City, he's going down with a fight. And he's not taking any prisoners.

In a week where 'dark arts' was the buzzword, most of it was aimed away from City rather than towards them - until Mikel Arteta fanned the flames by suggesting he 'knows' everything about City and what they do in that category. Guardiola reacted angrily to Arteta's insinuation, urging his friend to be clearer about what he means.

After days of City and Arsenal figures going back and forth following last Sunday's battle, the Saturday lunchtime trip to Newcastle could have been a chance to move forward and get on with the title challenge without Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne. An opportunity to show just how good his system is and smash the stereotype that City's success is built on one or two specific players.

ALSO READ: Newcastle vs Man City highlights and match action as it happened

ALSO READ: Man City give Erling Haaland update after injury scare vs Newcastle

Any hopes of a calmer afternoon were dashed, however, with the Blues showing they are not the only side who can use those 'dark arts' to their advantage.

Asked before kick-off whether the week's drama showed that it was 'City vs the rest of the Premier League', Guardiola agreed. "We have done it for seven years. Otherwise we wouldn't have what we achieve. Absolutely not," he said. Without his two most influential midfielders, Guardiola is deploying the 'us against the world' narrative to get his squad through a difficult period.

Yet his team sheet hinted heavily at control rather than chaos. Out went the two direct wingers, in came Grealish and Bernardo. Ilkay Gundogan was in midfield and Manu Akanji pushed up. Rico Lewis was a proper