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
Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge and we are now looking at the highs of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho guided Manchester United to Community Shield success against
Jose Mourinho's record with Manchester United
Missed chance for Reds. Jesse Lingard attempting to round Liverpool's Alisson, but was ultimately thwarted by the goalkeeper. It was Manchester United's clearest opportunity of note, as the two
Missed chances and mistakes doom Reds, again | Lance
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps Soccer Football France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Olympique Lyonnais left back Ferland Mendy will join Real
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps
We must beat Liverpool to stay in title race: Guardiola
Spanish media call for Valverde axe. May 9, 2019, 5:00 am. Sport Stories . Little red dot hails 'amazing' mighty Reds. Valencia to home in on Arsenal's poor away form.
Lionel Messi tells Ernesto Valverde to axe five Barcelona
Football: Ikhsan Fandi signs two-year deal with Norwegian
Ronaldo could face ex-team United in ICC S'pore, Football
Real Madrid coach Santi Solari hailed his team's ability to suffer and then hit back after Wednesday's 2-1 Champions League round-of-16 first-leg win at Ajax. Ajax overwhelmed Madrid at times and
Real Madrid Will '100%' Win a Major Title Next Season, Says
Big news: Jurgen Klopp set to be offered bumper new contract culminating in back-to-back Champions League finals and a sixth European Cup for the Reds, has been nothing short of sensational
Liverpool's total trust in Jurgen Klopp is something special
Pregnant Natalie Queiroz tells of moment she was stabbed 24 times in harrowing Sutton Coldfield town centre attack longer route, but it was raining so I took the shortcut. despite protests
Feb 27, 2019 · Luis Suárez scored twice, to go with Raphaël Varane's own goal, as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 for 4-1 on aggregate to reach the Copa del Rey final
Barca beat Real Madrid to reach Copa del Rey final
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Sarri Sarri, who unusually for a top football coach came to the sport after a successful career as a banker, has enjoyed a fine end to a
Homesick Sarri hints at Italy return, but Juventus still
0 comments:
Post a Comment