The defender was named in the starting lineup for the first time this season after an injury layoff and completed the entire 90 minutes at St James’ Park.
City went ahead early through Ilkay Gundogan but the hosts struck back with goals from Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier.
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Pep Guardiola‘s side dug deep to earn a draw after goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva. Stones was pleased with the way City worked themselves back into the game.
“[It was] Difficult, very difficult. We knew the quality that they had. It was a difficult end to end game,” he said.
“I thought we didn’t play to our usual standard. Bit frustrated at the end. We showed great character to come back. I think we could have maybe took more of our chances.
“That was the feeling coming off the pitch at the end, a bit defeated that we’ve not come away with the three points in the end.
“We have to give credit to them as well, how they played and how they stopped us playing in certain ways.”
The centre-back also spoke about City’s midweek trip to Barcelona for the charity match as well as touching on how the team can bounce back with a win.
Watch the entire interview via the video at the top of the page.