Pep Guardiola reminded Manchester City's title rivals that there remains a long way to go in the season after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.
City emerged from the international break four points behind Arsenal at the summit, with a chance to cut the Gunners' lead to a single point before they face Tottenham on Sunday.
But Harvey Barnes scored either side of Ruben Dias volley as three goals in seven second-half minutes decided the contest, after both teams missed several good chances in the first half.
City could now slip seven points off the title pace after 12 matchdays, while their four defeats are their most at this stage of a Premier League season since 2013-14 (also four).
It is also the most defeats a team managed by Guardiola has ever suffered in the first 12 games of a league campaign, but he is not panicking just yet.
"We gave everything," Guardiola told reporters. "We wanted to make a step like we have done in the last two months, but this is not an easy place to come after the international break.
"It was a tight game, with chances for both sides. Gigio was extraordinary. We missed chances and then in the second half, we conceded a goal.
"There were more chances for both sides, but we could not get the result. There is a long, long, long way to go."
The first half of Saturday's game featured seven big chances, as defined by Opta, with four falling to Newcastle and three to City, while the teams combined for a total of 2.59 expected goals (xG) before the break (1.18 for Newcastle, 1.41 for City).
That is the most big chances on record (since 2010-11) and the highest non-penalty xG total (since 2012-13) in a goalless Premier League first half.
Erling Haaland passed up two of City's biggest chances, miscuing an attempt to lob Nick Pope then shooting straight at the goalkeeper from Nico O'Reilly's cutback, and Matheus Nunes believes the result was dictated by fine margins.
"I think it could have been different. We had a lot of chances that we could have converted and we would be talking about a different game," Nunes said.
"But this is football. We didn't take our chances, they took theirs. It is what it is.
"Today wasn't our day. If it was another day, we would put all the balls in the net and like I said, the result would be different. I don't think there's any magical explanation."
Jipaeklmp
1
Tottenham will feel the heat today it will rain goals today at the Emirates.
Yaobinprtu
1
now most of the teams have understood how to stop Guardiola tactics
Madness2
1
if Arsenal don't win the league this season then they are officially cursing
MUBARAKABDULRAHIM
0
if Arsenal do not win the P.Lthan Arsenal will not win the P.L again
God assistant
toubilnrs
0
i thought Pep said the season just began lol
yohdmorz
0
Man City is not title contender, cose losing with low teams is poor performance.
kandmopty
0
Manchester city mast spend money for these star of PSG if love to get champions league especially in the first transfer market
truthisbitter
0
It might be a long way but you must take the right and best steps to be there,Sir Pep Guardiola, quickly find a substitute striker for halaand or risk another season of trophyless,it's like you're missing Tixi bagiristain your former football director,this current crop of recruits are average,they don't have Pep DNA!
Kizbklmrty
0
if Arsenal do not win the P.Lthan Arsenal will not win the P.L again
Zuecdeklmy
0
Mimprtu
1
It looks u are panic allready Harlard lost is streght not in form as he doesn’t score accept to loose thats sport man spirit Arsenal were nearly to win title u were supported u one Areteta never said he accepted it thats sport man spirit
Zimbopsz
2
Keep quiet Pep
wueeklmnot
0
useless team
Irenical
3
A thousand miles, infact every journey no matter how long it is, begins with a step.
Luckoruyz
1
Well played New Castle u deserved this win u were a better team
Bibabdkort
0
city you a a loose go back place2or1
legendBulaiftin
1
alxmdllh
poccdikmnr
2
l do believe in Pep
legendBulaiftin
1
yeah there is long way to go
icezicco
1
Not until you get to the relegation zone you wouldn't keep quiet and play to win game. Keep loosing and still be telling people that it's still early.
TerrenceTucco
1
There is long way to go for Pep
patcdstyz
4
Yes there's a long way to go. A long way for Pep to still lose points.
fubacikrt
2
ceep up the great work
Darex0001
0
Matches ahead
jayaeortz
0
Full time Results Newcastle 2 vs Manchester City 1. period,
Titbilmopr
2
Guardiola is inadmittedly falling by the wayside!
LeoKDB
0
Pep should start using subs more often and early
Vezonic22
2
When there's an upgrade and everything is amazingly great, a little default setting will interrupt and let one know it won't always be superb.
EmieGold
1
Has Pep been found out?
Charlesugwu
4
Pep, stop consoling yourself. You just have only Halaand to score goals. Once he's stopped, you go back to default.
Cabciklpsz
1
is it not medicine after death?