Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City "showed who we are" after they clawed back a two-goal deficit in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Newcastle United.
The Premier League champions looked set for a first loss of the new top-flight campaign after Ilkay Gundogan's opener had been cancelled out by goals for Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier at St James' Park.
But a rapid-fire one-two punch from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva saw the visitors fight back to earn a share of the spoils in one of the most gripping encounters of the season so far.
Fragments of City's remarkable title-winning final day rise from the canvas against Aston Villa last term were readily apparent on Tyneside as Guardiola's side fought their way to a draw.
That delighted the Spaniard, who marvelled at both the match and the result after the full-time whistle, paying tribute to his side's resolve.
"The team showed who we are," he told BBC Sport. "[It was a] proper football game. We started really well, [then] we lost some duels. Once the game was open, they were better.
"We should [have] taken more time in the final third. [But] that atmosphere after the game - that is what football is all about.
Despite their own unbeaten start to the new season, Newcastle had been written off pre-match as challengers to City, and after conceding inside five minutes to Gundogan's finish, looked poised to fold.
But Eddie Howe's Magpies proved to be the most resilient foe City has faced in the top-flight this season, and Guardiola was quick to offer them praise too, while weighing in on the increased competition of the Premier League.
"We could have not won today," he told Sky Sports. "Newcastle are becoming one of the toughest opponents, for sure. To see the team fight to the end is enough.
"Leeds beat Chelsea today [too]. The Premier League is so difficult for everyone. It shows how amazing [we have been] for five years, and how difficult it will be."
Al Ittihad 1-2 Al Hilal: Holders into King's Cup final
Al Hilal overcame Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's red card as Saud Abdulhamid's late goal sealed a 2-1 victory over Al Ittihad in the King's Cup semi-finals.
Without Karim Benzema, Al Ittihad ultimately lacked the firepower to make their numerical advantage count in Tuesday's clash.
Former Lazio midfielder, who joined Al Hilal as part of their spending spree last year, received a straight red card in the 42nd minute.
Al Ittihad's Abderrazzaq Hamed-Allah cancelled out Micheal's opener, but Abdulhamid popped up with the winner in the 81st minute.
Al Hilal are 10-time King's Cup winners, having won their 10th title last season.
The Saudi Pro League leaders, who are still without the injured Neymar, will now face either Al Khaleej or Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the final at the end of May.
Data Debrief: Malcom in the middle
Al Hilal might be missing their star Brazilian Neymar, but his compatriot Malcom is delivering when it comes to playmaking.
The former Zenit attacker set up both of Al Hilal's goals, creating three chances in total and registering a pass accuracy of 92.6 per cent, better than any of his team-mates.
Former Spain boss Del Bosque to oversee RFEF
Former Spain boss Vicente del Bosque will oversee a new committee supervising the RFEF.
Spain, which is due to be one of six host countries for the 2030 World Cup, announced the creation of a special committee until the federation holds elections to replace Luis Rubiales.
That is despite Pedro Rocha having this week been appointed as Rubiales' replacement, though he himself is under investigation amid a corruption probe.
Rubiales was dismissed following his unsolicited kiss on Jenni Hermoso during the Women's World Cup trophy ceremony in 2023.
The federation's former president was then arrested in early April as part of a corruption investigation.
Del Bosque led Spain to three consecutive trophies, winning the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, while also leading the team to their first World Cup success in 2010.
Prior to his time with the national team, he also won two Champions Leagues and two LaLiga titles while in charge of Real Madrid, where he made over 400 appearances as a player.
Preston 0-3 Leicester City: Foxes seal Championship title in style
Leicester City cruised to a 3-0 win over Preston in the Championship on Monday to clinch the title with a game to spare.
Jamie Vardy was the star for the Foxes as he scored in both halves before Kasey McAteer made sure of the points with an unmarked header.
Abdul Fatawu had the chance to cap an already memorable night for the travelling fans but hit the post with his curler.
Preston slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat, while Leicester go into their final game against Blackburn Rovers with the knowledge that they will lift the trophy after the final whistle.
Data Debrief
Jamie Vardy has scored 18 goals this season (two in this game), more than any other Leicester player in the competition. He has also netted in his last three games, scoring four goals in total.
It was a dominant performance from the Foxes, who had 19 shots with 11 of those on target. At the other end, Preston only managed to test Jakub Stolarczyk once from their five attempts.
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