John Stones was given flashbacks to Manchester City's final-day drama against Aston Villa last season as Newcastle put the Blues' defence to the sword.
Ilkay Gundogan gave City the lead inside five minutes at St James' Park but the home side roared back in a thrilling Premier League encounter, scoring three goals before the hour mark with Pep Guardiola's side unable to cope with their rapid and incisive attack. Stones was not the only defender given a torrid time, but it was his foul on the lively Allan Saint-Maximin that allowed Kieran Trippier to score his team's third.
City, however, showed why they are champions in the final half-hour as they fought back with two quality goals that earned them a point; Stones actually took the corner that brought their second goal. Having looked down and out, the visitors were ultimately disappointed not to have won the game.
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The England defender admitted that City found it tough up against a Newcastle team that made them suffer just like Aston Villa did back in May when they took a two-goal lead. However, Stones felt that the City comeback showed once again the character in their team and dressing room.
“It is deflating and I can only liken it to the last game last season. It is frustrating because you are pushing so hard to get something out of the game," he said.
"I think we have done so well over the years where we have gone even further down than today and we have come back. We have to stick to our game plan, what we know and not get frustrated with ourselves. We have to keep probing, pushing and we really did that in the second half. The quality of the boys and some of the passes for some of the goals were incredible.
“A major part of our mentality has got us to where we are in the six years I have been here, in every competition we have been in, fighting every year. The amount of games that we play and we are still pushing on is down to the hunger and the fight that everyone has got on and off the pitch."
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