Allan Saint-Maximin warns that Newcastle can get better after frustrating ‘best team in the world’

Newcastle's performance built upon their excellent display in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal at the end of last season to continue the upward trajectory on which the club has embarked since the arrival of head coach Eddie Howe.

Saint-Maximin said: "We can't even dream to play against a very good team like the way we did. We have shown what we are capable to do.

"We saw that last year in the last game at home against Arsenal. Since then, we have just kept going.

"We had a good pre-season and we will play even better and better. We want to keep working and playing well against these teams."

The Magpies, who lost 4-0 and 5-0 to City last season, looked to be heading into familiar territory when Ilkay Gundogan fired the visitors into a fifth-minute lead, but inspired by the pacy Saint-Maximin, they levelled through Miguel Almiron and then went ahead when Callum Wilson produced a cultured finish.

Kieran Trippier's 54th-minute free-kick, awarded for John Stones' injudicious challenge on Saint-Maximin, gave them breathing space, but the air was swiftly squeezed from their lungs by goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva.

The Frenchman, who played his part in last season's successful fight against relegation, said: "For sure, we can be disappointed, but we need to remember the start of last season.

"We played against maybe the best team in the world - to show what we are capable of, to lead 3-1 was incredible from Newcastle.

"I am really happy to play against teams like that as they have incredible players, and now it's time to keep going, keep pushing and win more games."