Kevin Mbabu has told Newcastle to “keep their heads up”, saying their opening 45 minutes at Manchester City “proves they are a good team”.
The Magpies are winless in the Premier League so far this season and tumbled to the bottom of the table following their 6-1 loss at Manchester City on Saturday.
However, they led until the 42nd minute at the Etihad and were extremely impressive in the first half, just as they were for 75 minutes against defending champions Chelsea the previous weekend.
But, despite this, Mbabu is adamant that elusive first victory is just around the corner – though he has no explanation for United’s second-half capitulation at the Etihad.
He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: “It’s difficult to explain, but you can’t make mistakes against a big team.
“I couldn’t watch the rest of the game as I was in the changing room (after limping off). It was a shame.
“We need to keep our heads up and focus on the next game against Norwich.
“We just need to keep working. I think what we did in the first half was really good.
“It will pay (off) one day. We need to keep doing what we’re doing.”
The 20-year-old defender was impressed by Newcastle’s first-half display at Man City.
In fact, Mbabu believes that 45-minute display proves that Newcastle can be a “really good team”.
“We did really well in the first-half,” he added.
“We had a few chances to score – it could have been 2-0 or 3-0.
“There were positive signs. We proved that we could be a really good team.”
Sergio Aguero scored five goals in less than 21 minutes at the Etihad and absolutely tore the Magpies’ defence to shreds at times.
Such an impressive performance has drawn high praise from Mbabu.
He said of the Argentinian: “Everybody knows about him. He’s one of the best strikers in the world.
“In the last three years, he has been one of the best.
“We saw that again. That’s what happens when you give him chances. He doesn’t really miss.”
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