PEP TALK

Guardiola told his-team if they stuck together and Simply trusted their talent he knew they would win

- SIMON BIRD

PEP GUARDIOLA reckons his side have come alive again after staring down what he said was a title crisis.

The Manchester City boss revealed the team talk which unlocked a brilliant second-half comeback against Newcastle.

And super sub Kevin De Bruyne, whose sorcery conjured a goal of his own and an assist in a wonderful 21-minute cameo, said he was playing on willpower.

This was a big result in the title race. At half-time, Eddie Howe's Newcastle side led 2-1, and they were defending comfortably in the second half.

But De Bruyne's introduction changed the flow of the contest.

"Talent made the difference," said Guardiola (right). "I said that to the players at half time: 'You are amazing - stick together and we will do it".

Brilliant goals on the break from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon had put Toon into an interval lead and boss Guardiola admitted he feared the worst for his City side, who had gone into the contest trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by five points.