Newcastle United's impressive rise up the Premier League table was temporarily halted on Sunday afternoon, as they were defeated comfortably by league leading Manchester City.
Raheem Sterling's double helped Manchester City to a 5-0 victory in their quest for a fourth Premier League title in five years, and Eddie Howe was full of praise for Pep Guardiola's side following the game.
On Manchester City's Performance
"I think Manchester City can do that to anybody, they are that good. I thought the crowd were really good for them right from early on in the game, I thought it was a good atmosphere.
"I thought individually we didn't get the details right today. We lost a runner for the first goal and we conceded from two set-plays, two corners which when you think of all the ways that they can score goals against you that's an absolute no-go, you can't do that here or you're going to be facing an uphill task.
On Newcastle's Performance.
" I thought there were some really good bits mixed in there as well. We got beat 5-0 so it's hard to talk about positives but there were some good bits from us.
"We tried to start with a very positive intent. We didn't want to concede too much territory and I thought we were aggressive and we looked good early in the game.
"We had chances that we didn't take and that's another thing, when you come here you have to take your opportunities when they come.
On The Gap Between Newcastle & Manchester City
"There's a huge gap between us and Liverpool and Manchester City but I would say there is the same gap between most of the clubs in the Premier League.
"Now we have to try and close that gap through the seasons that I think requires evolution not revolution because I think you've got to be very careful that you don't change too much too quickly.
"We're looking to improve everyday we're looking to improve obviously in every transfer window but I think it's got to be small gradual steps.
"There is no magic wand, there is no quick fix. It's hard work and smart moves in trying to improve the team.
On Returning Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson
"I think they showed what they could give us when they came on you saw Kieran immediately put two or three brilliant crosses into the box, real quality from the wide areas.
"And Callum had his 1v1 his chance from Maxi's [Allan Saint-Maximin] cross, I thought he looked bright as well so they actually contributed probably to our best spell of the game immediately as soon as they came onto the pitch.
"It's a massive boost for everybody connected with Newcastle to see them back. They are two huge players for us and we have missed them albeit the players in their absence stepped up incredibly well and I have to compliment them for that but it's great to have them both fit."
On Allan Saint-Maximin's Performance
I probably thought second half he saw more of the ball. I thought he was a real counterthreat in that second half.
"He had his moments but I think whenever you play against Manchester City there are only sporadic moments for any attacking player to be honest because it's so difficult to get the ball off them.
"I think he would have probably been frustrated because you want more of the ball, you want more of a chance to impact the game but as a team, as most teams do when they come here it's difficult as I say to get a strong enough possession to see your attacking players really influence the match."
On Conceding Two Late Goals
"I would need to see them again but I think the last goal was from our own goal kick or a free-kick and we didn't get our shape right, we pushed too many men forward which when you consider there's a minute left of the game wasn't the most intelligent thing we've done as a team so I think we kick ourselves with that last goal especially.
"The fourth goal I'd need to see back but initially I thought he [Phil Foden] was offside but he was clearly onside.
"He's [Oleksandr Zinchenko] had a shot and obviously he's meant to score and it's gone straight to the lad in the box [Phil Foden].
We'll look at those goals and we'll look at all the goals. I felt that individual mistakes cost us today and as I said you can't do that here."