Man City Loses Again, Pep Guardiola Predicts Premier League Tiel Competition

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (X/@ManCity)

JAKARTA - Manchester City failed to catch Liverpool who are increasingly comfortable at the top of the English Premier League standings. After Man City lost 4-0 against Tottenham Hotspur, manager Pep Guardiola predicts the Premier League title competition will end sooner.

The third defeat in the domestic competition showed Man City experiencing shocks. Not only a storm of injuries hit players, but the team seemed to lose confidence so Tottenham could easily destroy Man City in a duel that was held at home at the Etihad Stadium, Sunday, November 24, 2024 in the morning WIB.

In that match, Man City lost Rodri who had to pull out until the end of the season with a knee injury. Without the midfielder setting the rhythm of the game, The Cityzens seemed helpless. Although he was unaffected and could still win at the start of the game without Rodri, Man City finally lost his balance.

Apart from Rodri's factor showing Man City as if depending on a certain number of players, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has not achieved his best form after suffering another injury. Meanwhile, Phil Foden seemed exhausted. After returning from Euro 2024, Foden never performed optimally in the Man City match. He was not even included in the England squad during the UEFA Nations League match against Greece and Ireland.

Man City is considered to have looked different compared to last season. Even their performance was unable to match the team when they won trebles in the 2023 season.

It's just that the 4-0 defeat at home to Tottenham remains a surprise because it was experienced at home to Man City. This broke Man City's unbeaten record for 52 home games in various competitions.

This result is also the fifth defeat experienced by Guardiola's troops not only in the Premier League, but also the Carabao Cup and Champions League. Interestingly, this is the second time Tottenham have beaten Man City. Previously, The Lilywhites beat Man City 2-1 in the Carabao Cup. Now, they are repeating it more excitedly because Ange Postecoglue's team was involved in Etihad.

The defeat actually affected the mentality of the players. How not, Man City played the game with confidence because Guardiola had just extended the contract which made him last until 2027. Guardiola is the factor for the star players to stay at Man City.

Have they predicted that Man City will experience a slump if Guardiola leaves. The reason is that rumors have circulated that the former Barcelona coach will leave Man City. Rumors are getting more and more widely because Guardiola's contract will end this season and he has never received a new contract.

The threat of punishment overshadowing Man City if proven to have committed more than 100 financial-related violations is Guardiola's consideration to leave the club he recruited in 2016.

However, club official Khaldoon Al Mubarak managed to seduce Guardiola if Man City would escape punishment. He assured Man City would win the case so the manager finally signed a new contract.

If Guardiola survives, then the star players will not leave. Erling Haaland et al also seemed confident. They also excel in possession of the ball and create many chances. At least three chances from Haaland failed to convert into goals.

When Man City was very confident in winning, Tottenham midfielder James Maddison made the hosts silent. He successfully beat goalkeeper Ederson in the 13th minute. Not after their shock, just seven minutes later, Maddison broke into Man City's goal again which put Tottenham 2-0 up.

Supporters still hope Man City catch up with goal. But what happened was Ederson's goal conceded again by Pedro Porro. ThenUS Johnson solidified Tottenham's lead to 4-0.

Guardiola also tried to calm the players. According to him, there are no beautiful fairy tales in life and sport. This means that Man City can still experience adversity after a period of full fanfare.

"I'm here as a player and not a manager," Guardiola said while entertaining the players who were hit with the defeat.

"There are no beautiful fairy tales in life and sport. Sometimes we have to go through a situation like now and you have to accept that fact," he was quoted as saying, express.co.uk.

"We can't blame each other and have to stick together to continue what we have achieved. We are not used to losing in many matches in a row. But that's what happened. We have to make every effort to change, especially to face the next match," said Guardiola again.

"Will I run away? Of course not. We will still stand tall and stronger than ever. We will face all these challenges," he said.

Guardiola admits that the competition in the Premier League is no longer as tight as the previous seasons. The defeat did not change Man City's position. They remain in second place with 23 points. However, Man City is already closely overshadowed by Chelsea and Arsenal who are only one point adrift.

Liverpool themselves are perched at the top of the standings by pocketing 28 points. Liverpool are likely to stay away from Man City and eight points ahead if they beat Southampton.

The big match at Anfield when Man City visit Liverpool's headquarters on December 1, 2024 will be a decision. If Man City loses again, Guardiola estimates the league title race is over for them. The reason is, Liverpool are 12 points ahead. There are even those who predict the competition will end before Christmas if Liverpool always win and their competitors lose points.

"That game will be a determination. Especially if Liverpool win, win and win. That's what happens [Liverpool has won]. I certainly don't know what happened. To be sure, we have to win the game again," said Guardiola, who still puts his trust in the players.

"I've never lost faith in players for a second. Only no team in this world has been successful for eight, nine or 10 years," he said.