MANCHESTER • Manager Pep Guardiola refused to press the panic button on Saturday after Manchester City slumped to a second defeat in three Premier League games to hand Liverpool an early Christmas present in the title race.
Crystal Palace came from behind to clinch an unlikely 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium which ended City's perfect home record in the league this season and saw them trail Liverpool by four points going into the festive period.
City had not lost any of their previous 52 league games against teams outside the traditional "Big Six", a run dating back nearly two years to a defeat at Everton in January 2017.
Guardiola defended his decision to start with key pair Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne on the bench while John Stones played in midfield in the absence of Fernandinho.
"Normally the selection, when we win I am a genius and, when they win, the selection is not good. I accept that role, but I don't know what would happen if Kevin or Sergio had started," said the Spaniard.
"Dinho is injured. Yesterday, he felt that problem, but John played so good (in midfield) at Leicester and I want to give another option for the long balls.
"They are a strong team in the air. We decided to put him there and he played good, except one ball.
"I admire and give credit to people who try to adapt to positions they are not used to."
City took the lead through Ilkay Gundogan, but Palace hit back with a Jeffrey Schlupp strike and a goal-of-the-season contender from Andros Townsend. The home supporters were stunned into silence when Kyle Walker rashly fouled Max Meyer and Luka Milivojevic stuck home the resulting penalty.
Guardiola admitted that he was not impressed with Walker's challenge but chose not to criticise him publicly, saying that he "will learn".
Last Christmas, City were able to relax in the comfort of a 13-point lead in the Premier League but, after two defeats in three games, the festive mood in the team will be tinged with a little anxiety this year.
City face a tricky Boxing Day fixture away to a Leicester team who on Saturday did what Guardiola's side could not manage - win at Stamford Bridge.
Then a trip to Southampton, revitalised with two wins under new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, awaits on Dec 30 before the crucial clash with Liverpool on Jan 3.
Injuries have certainly played a part in City's recent stumbles, but it is David Silva's absence which has hurt the team most.
The Spaniard has been sidelined with a hamstring injury he picked up in the loss to Chelsea on Dec 8 and, while he is back in training and should be ready to return before the Liverpool game, City missed him badly against Palace.
The zip to City's passing and movement, particularly in the space in front of the opposition penalty area, was missing with no one able to direct play with the urgency and precision that Silva provides.
Without him, wide players Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling did not receive the same quality of service and lone forward Gabriel Jesus saw few opportunities.
But Guardiola is confident that his team will bounce back from the mini slump. "We are in December and we will try and recover and try and win games again," he said. "There are a lot of games to play. We have to recover mentally and recover our physicality."
Palace manager Roy Hodgson attributed his side's first victory in 28 years at City's home ground to hard work.
"You don't produce that sort of performance by waving a magic wand or having a five-minute team talk - there's a lot of work that goes into that structure and we were excellent," he told the BBC.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Two goals from in-form Marko Arnautovic and Ryan Fredericks's debut EPL helped West Ham beat Southampton 3-0 at London Stadium on Saturday to complete their first league double over the Saints since 2001. Austrian Arnautovic, who had last found the net on January 2, bagged the opener after Yan Valery misdirected a 16th-minute pass to Mark
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Saints - Cyprus Mail
But, with big-name stars such as Martial and Pogba desperately struggling for form in a run that has seen United lose five of their last seven league and Cup games, Solskjaer has laid out demands
Step up or ship out: Solskjaer - Latest News
Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0 at Stamford Bridge Keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was dropped by Chelsea Gonzalo Higuain struck the post for Chelsea after five minutes Tottenham's Harry Winks was also denied by the woodwork Pedro put Chelsea ahead after the break from a tight angle Kieran Trippier's comical own goal sealed Chelsea's win Tottenham face Arsenal next, Chelsea visit Fulham
Football: Solskjaer praises buccaneering Man United players
Football: Valencia stroll into Europa League last four with 2
Greatest comebacks in Champions League history! Top 10 Greatest comebacks in Champions League history? UEFA Champions league comebacks? Seeing your side complete a successful comeback, after it seemed all hope was lost - is one of the best feelings in the world as a football fan.
PHOTOS: 5 greatest comebacks in UEFA Champions League history
'He's great to watch, but he's not God' - Pope sets fans straight on Messi FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis receives a Barcelona soccer jersey of player Lionel Messi during the weekly audience in Saint
He's great to watch, but he's not God: Pope sets fans
Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City team will be poised to pounce if Premier League leaders Liverpool falter, following a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolves on Monday that left City four points
Man City ready to pounce on any Liverpool slip-ups, says
New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts 1st game When teenager Rayan Clarke rolled a pass off the centre spot at Tottenham Hotspur's gleaming new stadium on Sunday it kicked off a new
Football: New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts first game
A host of big-name footballers are behind a campaign to raise money for a private search for missing footballer Emiliano Sala The campaign has raised £130,000 from almost 2,000 people in just a
Reds will 'attack as a team', Football News & Top Stories
Barcelona on the verge of La Liga title after beating Alaves
LOS ANGELES: David Beckham called his former team LA Galaxy his "family" and thanked Los Angeles for embracing him at the unveiling of his statue before the Major League Soccer club's season-opener on Saturday.
Soccer: Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as statue
Football: Son contemplated Tottenham exit until discussion
0 comments:
Post a Comment