‘Defeat good for City’

MANCHESTER City lost for the first time since April as they came unstuck against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League last night.

A much-changed City side were beaten 2-1 by the impressive Ukrainian champions i n freezing conditions at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv.

The result was actually of little significance for C i t y, h a v i n g a l r e a d y secured top spot in Group F but it was hardly ideal preparation for Sunday’s derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Goals in quick succession from two of Shakhtar’s Brazilians, Bernard and I s m a i l y, midway through the first half proved City’s undoing, with Sergio Aguero’s injury-time penalty providing consolation only.

The defeat ended City’s club record run of 20 successive wins and was also their first defeat in 29 games since April’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal.

Manager Pep Guardiola believes his t eam will emerge stronger for the experience.

He said: “It hurts. It is never nice to lose a game.

“But we have said many times we cannot win all the time, we are going to lose games.

“We needed to lose a game.

“It will be good for the club, for all of us and the media.

“People say things when you win a lot and you can forget that now.

“We saw many good things but we made mistakes and we are going to improve on that.

“Football i s how you recover in the good moments and bad moments to stay stable.”

Pep Guardiola