Manchester City were, once again, embarrassed in the Premier League and it took a 93rd minute goal from Phil Foden to ensure that their goal difference did not worsen after a trip to Birmingham to face Aston Villa.
The match, which ended 2 – 1 in favour of their hosts, ensured that the Cityzens’ poor run continued and also ensured that they entered Christmas in seventh place, 12 points away from top spot in their title defence.
It was another poor afternoon for Pep Guardiola who has never encountered a patch like this in his managerial career. However, the loss has spurred the modern coaching legend on as he promised that he is now committed more than ever to ensuring that the team finds their feet again.
Speaking to the media after the loss to Unai Emery’s team, the former Barcelona manager said: “If there is a moment that I cannot overthink, it is right now. [I] try to be simple, stick to my principles and give certainty to the team.
“Tell them they can do it and how they can give benefit for the team defensively and offensively.
“The starting line-up was good. It’s not an easy place to come and today we played much better than last season [here]. We take the positives and reflect. When I see the players before, during and after and how they behave I feel pride.
“We have to find the balance to create more chances than we concede.
“We don’t have a defence for the results. They are not good. It’s about what I can do with my people to get the results back and continue. Hopefully the players will come back step by step then we can continue.
“Then let’s go. We will recover and try to see how many players can play against Everton and we will try to do it.”
Meanwhile, the club’s former captain, Andy Morrison, has rallied the current crop of players to keep persevering despite the challenges facing them.
“It’s obviously a difficult moment,” he said. “I don’t think you can attempt to sugar coat it over and look at positives, there are little positives and that’s where we’re at.
“It’s too easy then to look after yourself and keeping your head down. You need people to be strong now. You must stick together, you must stay strong together and wait for it to turn.
“And it will turn. It has to because this is something these players and this management have never experienced.
“Stay strong, stay together and work your way through it.”
