A Christmas CRACKER
PEP GUARDIOLA blanked Kyle Walker after the Manchester City defender gave away a penalty in their shock defeat to Crystal Palace.
Guardiola shook hands with his City players as they left the pitch but made a point of ignoring Walker, whose poor display was capped by him conceding a spot-kick.
City’s loss means Liverpool have a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League at Christmas ahead of their showdown at The Etihad on January 3.
Guardiola admitted City’s mistakes cost them, as Palace – thanks to a goal-of-the-season contender from Andros Townsend – celebrated a rare league win at City, 28 years to the day since their last one.
“The third goal, the penalty, was really tough for us,” said Guardiola.
“We cannot concede this type of
penalty. Football is made up of good things and sometimes bad things. Kyle will learn. What happened is not just down to Kyle (below).
“Everybody is involved. I have few regrets, just to try to improve so these kinds of things don’t happen again.
“We scored but it was a bit late and we had chances to score another but congratulations to Palace.
“We created enough chances in the first half and the first time they passed the halfway line they scored, then they scored an incredible goal from Townsend.”
Jubilant boss Roy Hodgson said: “I travelled up thinking we could give a good performance but getting something from the game would be tough.
“They’re such a strong team and had such a good bench. We are looking at the champions of England and, conceivably, the future champions.
“Today is one of those bonanza days where you get your work-rate and positional play in terms of where it should be and you also get the goals.”