They are not taken by surprise, Klopp attentive to Guardiola's movements

Did we really expect anything else? Any questions about Manchester City's motivation, about the strengths of respective rivals, about any cracks in the Blue machine, have been torn up and forgotten about. City did what champions do at Newcastle United on Saturday night. They recovered from going behind to claim an important three points with a late winner.

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'That's why we're champions,' sang the away end. It was hard to disagree. City might not be top, in fact, they could be fourth before they kick a ball again in the Premier League, but they appear to have had their blip, they're welcoming injured game-changers back and they are ominously finding the second half of the season form that has carried them to a clutch of trophies under Pep Guardiola, including that historic treble last term.

As new years dawn, City find their form. Last season the Blues played 73 games and in the final 32 they lost just twice. And one of those was against Brentford on the final day with the title secured and two finals looming. Anyone who thought this City vintage might not be cut from quite the same cloth as last term's was either optimistic or naive.

"It's not just about this result, it's the impact it could have for the rest of City's season," said former Blues defender Micah Richards on Match of the Day on the win at Newcastle. "All season they have had people questioning their mentality, asking if they are still the same side that won the treble last season and talking about if they can win the title four times in a row because it's never been done before.

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Manchester City and Guardiola in the focus of their rivals

There was certainly no complacency coming from rival camps. Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal know full well the qualities and capabilities of Guardiola's City. The Merseyiders have been exceptional pace-setters this season having tasted a top-flight defeat just once - and that came when they were down to nine men. It would be some feat if they maintained their form for another four months. They will know City are lurking ominously on their shoulder. They won't have required the weekend win to reinforce the message.