The defending Premier League champions dropped points for the fifth time this season when Jonjo Shelvey’s late strike rescued a 2-2 draw for Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
It consigned us to our second consecutive draw, having shared the spoils against Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, but Guardiola was pleased with the display in the North East and says his squad aren’t lacking self-belief.
“No [confidence is not an issue],” said the boss.
“You have to see how the players run, how far, how they try and the body language. We never give up. The team is always there, that is my feeling.
“You [the media] analyse the result. Of course, it’s not good for us. It’s good for Newcastle.
“I know it doesn’t count but I have to analyse the performance. The performance was good.”
City were the dominant team on Tyneside, where we came up against a stubborn defence bolstered by the fine form of keeper Martin Dubravka.
Having watched his side carve out 24 shots on goal from 77% of possession and restrict the hosts to just six efforts themselves, Guardiola was full of praise for the performance, and said sometimes you have to accept when results don’t go your way.
“My opinion is that we played good,” he added.
“We played good with the ball, we were solid and we conceded few counter attacks, but football is how many goals you score and how you don’t concede.
“[I] accept that. Sometimes it happens.
“We had a good build up, we attacked inside a lot and we found a lot of space.
“Today, after 1-2, it was difficult. It was last season and this season as well. They have taken results against Tottenham and Manchester United.
“What can we say of the team? Create more than the opponent and concede few. That’s happened. After that, we try to improve our clinical position and to defend as well as possible.”
