Pep blames lack of ruthless streak for title flop after goals flow against Palace

MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City is the Premier League’s most creative team, but Saturday’s 5-0 rout of Crystal Palace left the Spaniard frustrated by his team’s wastefulness in front of goal earlier in the season.

City was in prolific form as it thrashed Palace at Etihad Stadium to climb to third place, at least until Liverpool’s match against Southampton on Sunday.

However, it was only City’s third win in nine league games, and its inconsistency this season has left it 12 points adrift of leader Chelsea with three matches left.

Guardiola reckons City would have been worthy champion this season had it been more clinical in front of goal.

And he argued that the only time this season that it has created fewer chances than its opponents was at Tottenham in early October, when City lost 2-0.

“Maybe I remember one game this season where the opponent created more chances. One — at White Hart Lane. The others, no chance,” Guardiola said.

“We are better than all the other teams. Against Chelsea, we create more chances both here and at Stamford Bridge but in the box we are not good.

“We are the best team in the Premier League for creating clear chances. We are the best one. But we are not able to score goals.

“The most difficult thing in football, basketball, tennis — in all the sports — is that final moment.”

Without the injured Sergio Aguero, City enjoyed its biggest league victory under Guardiola, with goals from David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Otamendi.

Yet the manager can cite many examples of games where City did not take its chances and suffered as a result, most notably its 4-0 defeat in January at Everton, which had only four shots on target.

“In the game against Everton, they arrive four times and we lose 4-0. We arrive more times than any other team,” he said.

“You see Real Madrid, Bar-

We are better than all the other teams. Against Chelsea, we created more chances both here and at Stamford Bridge.” Pep Guardiola, City manager

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celona and Juventus, they create enough chances, similar to us, but they score goals. We’ve missed that this season a lot.”

City is in a three-way fight with Liverpool and Manchester United for the final two Champions League places.

There is, though, the possibility that all three could still qualify, if United wins the Europa League – thereby qualifying for the Champions League – and finishes fifth.

“Today was important because we are playing for the future of the club,” he said.

“The Premier League is tough. There are four amazing teams fighting for the final two places.

“I hope United can focus on the Europa League and next season we can have five English teams in the Champions League. It will be amazing.”

Palace manager Sam Allardyce was critical of his players, suggesting they gifted City the win.

The Eagles’ third straight loss means they are still not mathematically safe from relegation.

“Defensively we made too many mistakes and they punished us heavily,” Allardyce said.

“Our recovery from the first goal was good but we fell into the same shape at the start of the second half and it was a bit of a capitulation.

“All five goals could have been avoided if we had defended properly. That is the biggest disappointment.

“Manchester City, normally when they beat you here, produce outstanding skills but we gifted them easy chances to score and they thrashed us.”