Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has candidly addressed the team’s inability to sustain their performance for a full 90 minutes following a shocking 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Pep Guardiola Admits City’s Consistency Issues After Fourth Straight Loss
This loss marked Guardiola’s fourth consecutive defeat, a first in his illustrious managerial career.
City took the lead in the first half through Erling Haaland’s strike, but the Premier League champions faltered in the closing stages.
Goals from Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley within the last 12 minutes saw Brighton snatch victory at the Amex Stadium. The loss has raised serious questions about City’s form and resilience.
“Today we played really good in the first half but we couldn’t finish the game,” Guardiola admitted.
“We were not consistent to maintain our game and our intensity and press and be aggressive for 90 minutes. The level we are playing is really good in certain moments but we are not able to continue for a long time.”
The defeat extended City’s losing streak to four games, a situation unprecedented for Guardiola in his time at City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona.
The last time City suffered four successive losses was under Stuart Pearce between April and August 2006.
Injuries have plagued City, with key defenders Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, and John Stones sidelined. This forced Guardiola to field 19-year-old Jahmai Simpson-Pusey for his first league start.
The makeshift backline struggled to cope with Brighton’s second-half onslaught, highlighting the depth of City’s current crisis.
Reflecting on the tough period, Guardiola remained optimistic yet realistic about the challenges ahead.
“It can always happen one time in a lifetime, right?” Guardiola remarked.
“Always there’s a first time. We’ve lost two games in the Premier League and we have to change it, get back to winning.
When the players come back after the international break, I don’t have any doubt that we will be back to our best.”
Despite the recent slump, Guardiola is determined to steer his team back on course. He hinted that this season might be an opportunity for other teams to rise, saying,
“Four defeats in a row. We have to change things quick. Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserves it.”
As City trails five points behind leaders Liverpool, the upcoming matches after the international break will be crucial.
Guardiola’s challenge is clear: revitalize the squad and restore their confidence to defend their Premier League title.
