Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players about off-field behaviour at Christmas after Jack Grealish and Phil Foden were reportedly pictured in a nightclub and then dropped for the clash at Newcastle.
Pep said on Sunday: “It was not rotation. I decided on this team because they deserved to play today, these guys and not the other ones.
The England duo along with John Stones were the only changes to the side that thrashed Leeds 7-0 when City visited St James’ Park and won 4-0.
Stones came off the bench in the 70th minute but Grealish and Foden were unused substitutes.
Guardiola made a statement last month saying that Grealish must produce his best for the rest of the season but had also praised the way the club’s £100m record signing has settled in at Manchester City.
Foden, meanwhile, has also had a superb season so far but was also in the picture apparently posted on social media with a fan.
Guardiola was critical of his side’s performance in general despite their four goals against Eddie Howe’s relegation-threatened Magpies