Erratic City form baffles Guardiola
Southampton – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted his side cannot lose games in the manner they did in going down 1-0 at Southampton on Sunday if they are to take the Premier League title back from Liverpool next season.
City lost for the ninth time in the league this season as Che Adams’s spectacular first Southampton goal condemned Guardiola’s men to defeat despite enjoying 74% possession and 26 shots at goal.
“We played really well, but it was a little bit the résumé of this season. We make one mistake, they punish us,” said Guardiola.
“We lost too many games and losing a lot of games you cannot compete to win Premier Leagues.
“We need to improve because it happened many times this season.”
Just four days ago City showed what they are capable of when they thrashed newly-crowned champions Liverpool 4-0.
But defeat on the south coast sees the Reds regain their 23-point lead at the top of the table.
Guardiola, though, insisted his plan to get back on top does not involve a summer spending spree on new players.
“I think we played well. The desire, the character to play until the end was there, we put Southampton with 10 players in the penalty spot, so we did really well.
“When you review the games and the chances we created you cannot do more. I like the way we played but it is not good enough.”
Adams (above) has endured a nightmare run in front of goal since a £15 million move from Birmingham a year ago.
But on his 30th appearance for Southampton, he caught City goalkeeper Ederson stranded well outside his area from 40 yards out.
Guardiola had made six changes from the rout over Liverpool with Kevin De Bruyne among those dropping to the bench.
Even without the brilliant Belgian, City still created enough chances to win comfortably but were only denied by some inspired goalkeeping by Alex McCarthy and wayward finishing.
Southampton are just five points off eighth place which may be enough for a place in next season’s Europa League should City’s appeal against a two-season ban from European competition not be successful later this month.