John Stones credits Manchester City star for inspiring Newcastle United comeback upon return from injury | OneFootball

Manchester City defender John Stones was full of praise for Savinho after a 3-1 win over Newcastle United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night.

The Blues progressed to the FA Cup quarter-final by coming from behind and returning to winning ways at St. James’ Park after drawing in midweek at home against Nottingham Forest.

Pep Guardiola’s side made a sluggish start and fell behind courtesy of Harvey Barnes’ opener but a valiant last 50 minutes or so saw the Blues score thrice and secure a fourth win of the season in all competitions against the Magpies. Guardiola was also shown a yellow card for dissent and will serve a two-game touchline ban.

After having an injury-time effort cleared off the line against Forest on Wednesday night, Savinho was named in the starting XI at St. James’ Park and the Brazilian repaid his manager’s faith by grabbing the all-important leveller for Manchester City on the cusp of half-time.

What did John Stones say about Savinho after Saturday’s win in Tyneside?

John Stones made a return to the lineup himself and was given the Manchester City armband as Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi were rested ahead of next week’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Real Madrid.

In conversation with TNT Sports after the 3-1 win over Newcastle, Stones extolled the virtues of Savinho and as someone who knows all too well about the struggles of performing post-injury, the 31-year-old spoke highly of the Brazilian forward.

“How direct he was, his pace to touch it past you and get to full speed is incredible,” Stones said on Savinho. “He kept going, crosses, the chances and I’m so pleased for him.

“It’s difficult coming back from injury, he came on in the last game (against Nottingham Forest) and made an impact, and the same again today.”

Could Savinho start against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu?

Savinho and Omar Marmoush, whose second-half brace secured the win in Tyneside for City, have given Guardiola a welcome selection headache ahead of the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

However, it does seem unlikely that Guardiola will risk pivoting from the attacking line that has worked well for him and Manchester City over the course of their purple patch since February in a game as high-stakes as next week’s meeting with Real Madrid.

Erling Haaland missed the trip to Newcastle on Saturday in a bid to keep the Norway international well-rested for Real Madrid, with Antoine Semenyo also starting the 3-1 win from the bench and likely to be recalled to the lineup in the Spanish capital.

Guardiola made 10 changes to his starting XI against Newcastle United from the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, with Matheus Nunes the only player starting both games. Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Gianluigi Donnarumma are all also expected to revert to the lineup against Real Madrid next week.