LONDON • Pep Guardiola's 100th Premier League game had looked to be a mere formality after Sergio Aguero's opener against Newcastle after only 24 seconds - the quickest Premier League goal this season.
However, his players failed to build on their lightning start as Manchester City slumped to a shock 2-1 loss at St James' Park on Tuesday to put their title defence in jeopardy.
Although Guardiola, who is now facing the hardest challenge of his stewardship, insisted post-game the title race was not over as "there are still many games and anything can happen", there seemed to be a hint of resignation with leaders Liverpool in the box seat.
He said: "We had a chance today to reduce the lead. Tomorrow is a game for our opponents. When you are behind, you have to win games and we couldn't do that."
Denying that the English champions had underestimated Newcastle, he added: "We'd never do that and that's the reason why we're still in four competitions. That's why we recorded 100 points last season.
"It's just sometimes, we don't play at the level we want to play and that can happen, that's something I understand completely."
But after admitting "it was not our best night" with their flat and careless display on Tyneside, talk of an unprecedented quadruple will be on the back-burner for now .
The Spaniard said: "I know the challenge is big, being in all competitions is what it is. If you want to go up as a club, you have to accept that challenge. I prefer to be in that position."
THERE IS STILL TIME
A lead of seven points is a lot but we're not in April or May. There are a lot of tough games to play against sides trying to stay in this division, or playing to get into the Europa League or the Champions League.
PEP GUARDIOLA, Man City manager, keeping his chin up despite expecting Liverpool to beat Leicester last night.
It must have come as a real surprise to him after a sluggish City conceded for the first time since Roberto Firmino netted on Jan 3. It was a series of 30 unanswered strikes before Salomon Rondon's and Matt Ritchie's spot kick on Tuesday.
Guardiola added: "We didn't make a good performance. We didn't take the rhythm of the game, it was slow and we weren't aggressive enough.
"The game was not good. We did not defend the second ball well, we have to improve."
Conceding "next week will be tough" - City have to play Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea in seven days - he challenged his side to rise to the occasion as there were "a lot of titles and points to play for".
The 48-year-old also attempted to put a spin on the upset and their tricky run of upcoming fixtures as they "were still in January", and so, there could be plenty more twists and turns in Liverpool's bid to end a 29-year wait to win the league.
He said: "There's a lot of time but of course, when you're behind the leaders, you don't want to drop points and every game is one less.
"A lead of seven points is a lot but we're not in April or May. There are a lot of tough games to play against sides trying to stay in this division, or playing to get into the Europa League or the Champions League.
"In our case, we will do our best to be there and not to give up."
With City's unremitting pressing and cutting interplay curiously absent against Rafa Benitez's men, it meant he also missed out on an outright record of achieving most wins in the league era by any manager in their first 100 games.
Instead, he will now share that landmark with his old rival and former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, who won 73 of his first 100 games with Chelsea.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Japan coach disappointed but pleased with progress at Asian Cup his side missed out on a winning a fifth Asian Cup title on Friday but believes the improvement of the squad augurs well for the
2019 Asian Cup football News | Latest News on 2019 Asian Cup
Manchester City retained the Premier League title in style on Sunday, holding their nerve to come from behind against Brighton and see off a charging Liverpool after a thrilling campaign.
Manchester City retain English Premier League title | News
Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp. 2019-03-05 18:36 which is very important in football. And
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp - Kenyan
(Reuters) - The Netherlands head into this week's Nations League semi-finals with one of the best young squads the country has produced in recent years and Dutch football can once again look forward to a bright future, manager Ronald Koeman has said.
Coach Koeman sees 'great future' for Dutch national team
Mario Balotelli was born in Palermo, Sicily, as the son of Ghanaian immigrants. The family moved to Bagnolo Mella in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, when he was two.. In 1993, when he was three, Balotelli was placed in foster care to the Balotelli family when his own family was unable to pay for his health care needs.
Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur "need to believe" they can still win the Premier League title after his side responded to Leicester City's victory over Sunderland with a
What the Spurs need to do to have a successful offseason
BURNLEY, England (REUTERS) - Burnley moved five points clear of the Premier League's relegation zone after an early Conor Coady own goal and a late Dwight McNeil strike gave them a 2-0 home win
Burnley boost survival hopes on landmark day for Sean Dyche
The official website of the Chicago Cubs with the most up-to-date information on scores, schedule, stats, tickets, and team news.
Cubs Baseball Live
AD
fanical.com/Chicago-Cubs
Report Ad
Watching Chicago Cubs Games. Baseball Blogs, Forums & News
Pep Guardiola dismisses Jurgen Klopp's claim that Man City have no weaknesses Guardiola's City and Klopp's Liverpool appear increasingly to be the two main contenders in the title race, as
Guardiola dismisses Klopp's claim that Man City have no
THE Premier League voiced "significant concerns" over potential reforms to the Champions League yesterday, saying the changes would damage the thriving domestic game. Reported reforms being
Premier League voices fears over proposed UCL reforms
JLC Advisors senior partner Vincent Lim said the firm is investigating if its managing partner Jeffrey Ong Su Aun made the payouts from the account on his own initiative or on the instructions or request of others.
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process
Reds back in the big league, says Klopp. Poetry in motion as Sadio Mane evades Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's challenge before netting the opening goal. The Senegalese is now Liverpool's highest
Liverpool star says Klopp wants him, as he knocks back exit talk
The maths are simple: for Liverpool to win the Premier League title this weekend, not only must the Reds do our own job against Wolves at Anfield, but Manchester City must drop points down at
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp outlines what Reds must do to win
Mar 08, 2019 · United States women's national team stars Mallory Pugh (L), Megan Rapinoe (C) and Alex Morgan (R) and Tobin Heath are among the 28 players suing the U.S. Soccer Federation for gender discrimination.
US women's team sues US Soccer over 'institutionalized gender
LONDON (REUTERS) - Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (Dec 22).. Read more at
Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet
0 comments:
Post a Comment