Eddie Howe has stressed winning the Premier League is not in Newcastle United's 'train of thought' after Man City boss Pep Guardiola suggested the Magpies were in the title race.
Newcastle are flying in third following five successive top-flight wins and you have to go back to August for Howe's side's one and only defeat this season. Newcastle, remarkably, have gone into the World Cup break just two points off City, the champions, who are in second, while league leaders Arsenal are seven points clear.
Although Newcastle have played a game more than both Arsenal and City, Guardiola is certainly taking the Magpies very seriously after seeing, first-hand, what they are capable of following a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James' Park earlier this season. Guardiola previously labelled Newcastle a 'contender' for the top four and the City boss went one step further earlier this month when he said the black-and-whites were among those teams who could 'fight for the title'.
READ MORE: Kieran Trippier once 'clashed' with Howe but he repaid Newcastle boss
Howe has naturally welcomed praise from Guardiola, a manager he respects, but the Newcastle head coach was not sure if it was 'an honest reflection that he’s given or whether he’s just trying to put more pressure on us'. With that in mind, when asked if Newcastle could win the title, Howe was understandably realistic.
"I don't think that's in our train of thought at the moment," the Newcastle head coach told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Genuinely. I don't think it has been at all. It's just a case of trying to commit to every game, try and win the games that are in front of us and try and do that for as long as possible."
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