Manchester City drew 1-1 with Newcastle United in their latest Premier League match.
The Blues dropped two points for the first time in the league last weekend when they snatched a late goal to draw 2-2 with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
This time around, City picked up their first away draw of the campaign as Josko Gvardiol’s first-half goal was cancelled out by an Anthony Gordon penalty later on in the match at St. James’ Park.
After seeing the points get shared between the two sides, Eddie Howe shared his thoughts on one of the Manchester club’s key figures.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Howe said this when asked about Pep Guardiola.
He said: “Pep [Guardiola] is someone I really admire. I admire how he plays the game, how he sees the game.
“For me, he is an innovator, he consistently takes the game to new ways. As a coach you’ve got to watch and understand his team and try to find solutions – it’s not easy.
“I think he’s really good for the English game, the British game, having him here makes the league better.
“Our challenge is to get closer and closer, or try and get closer and closer to teams like Manchester City, and they’re the benchmark.”
Guardiola is one of the best managers in Premier League history
Guardiola took charge of City back in the summer of 2016 and is now in the midst of his ninth Premier League campaign at the club.
Having now overlooked 310 Premier League games following the recent draw against Newcastle, Guardiola has 229 wins, 43 draws and 38 defeats under his belt with City.
In terms of titles won, the 53-year-old has guided his side to six Premier Leagues as well as multiple other domestic and European trophies.
Howe isn’t the only top-flight manager to share their admiration for the City boss, as Enzo Maresca named Guardiola the best manager in Premier League history earlier this year.
Having been so successful during his time with City, it’s understandable for any football fan to see why Howe thinks Guardiola and his side are the benchmark for how good a football team can be.
