Eddie Howe makes telling comment in Man City-Arsenal title battle - 'They're the best'

Manchester City continued their recent dominance over Newcastle on Saturday night and Eddie Howe admits that Pep Guardiola's side again look like the best team in the country

Eddie Howe admits Manchester City are the "best team they've faced" this season after his Newcastle side were beaten by them for a fourth time this campaign.

City marched on in the FA Cup as they came from behind to secure a 3-1 win at St James' Park. It was their fourth win over the Magpies in a matter of months after downing them in the Premier League and twice beating them in the Carabao Cup semi-final clash.

Pep Guardiola's side are beginning to hit top gear as we enter the final months of the season, albeit their draw with Nottingham Forest in midweek was certainly a blip. But they remain on Arsenal's tail and can close the gap should they win their game in hand.

They also face the Gunners in the Carabao Cup final last this month. The two heavyweight marched on in the FA Cup, meaning they could face each other in the next round whilst they still harbour Champions League ambitions.

But Howe, who has been undone by both Arsenal and City, believes the team from Manchester are getting close to the form that made them the country's premier outfit.

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He said: "I think that they [City] made changes to their team but I think you see the strength in depth that they have and they possess. I think that was probably a step too far for us today against them when they’re in that mood, I thought they were excellent and we fell away in the game.

‘We seemed to lose our energy but they do that to you because they keep the ball so well, they make you run, they make you chase, then you’re tired and you make another technical mistake and you’re chasing again. They’ve done that for years. That’s why, for me, they’ve been the best team that we’ve continually faced and today I thought they were in a really good place and we just fell out of energy."

Guardiola is yet to go successive season without winning the title since he came to England. He and City are eyeing a seventh Premier League trophy in nine years and Howe commented on their ruthless ability to retain possession and wear down opposition.

"As soon as you make a technical mistake against them you’re not seeing the ball again for long periods and then your energy just drains away," he said. "That’s why they’ve been the best team for so long and I think they’re coming back into the type of form that makes them that team again. They’re evolving into a different version of what they’ve been before but very, very effective."

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