Next two week will decide City's season, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola believes the next fortnight could determine whether Manchester City's season proves a success or failure.

The champions, who are chasing three trophies this term, now have a free week before returning to action with a Premier League trip to Crystal Palace next Saturday.

They then face two knockout games in the following days, with RB Leipzig and Burnley visiting in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively.

City boss Guardiola is now giving his players a short break after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday, but wants them to hit the ground running when they return.

"We have two days off for everyone," said the Spaniard. "It is necessary we don't see each other for a while, it's been really tough for everyone with travels and no days off.

"But then after that, before the international break, we have three games, each in a different competition, that will define our season.

"We have Crystal Palace, Leipzig and Burnley. They will define what we want to do or are able to do for the rest of the season."

Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva scored the goals as City maintained their pursuit of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League by seeing off Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal's last-gasp victory at Bournemouth later in the day meant the gap would remain at five points, but City's performance underlined their determination not to relinquish their title easily.

City went ahead through Foden's superb strike after 15 minutes but needed to weather a storm after Newcastle fought back. The visitors were the dominant side until Silva came off the bench to wrap up victory in the 67th minute.

"It was a very important win against against a very, very good side," said Silva. "The game was very tough, they put us