Pep Guardiola's Manchester City endured a tough 2-1 defeat to Brighton, marking a historic low in his managerial career with four consecutive losses for the first time. The reigning Premier League champions, who were once a dominant force, now find themselves struggling under the weight of injury crises, inconsistent performances, and mounting pressure.
The match at the Amex Stadium began with a positive tone for City, as Erling Haaland put them ahead in the first half. However, their inability to sustain their performance throughout the full 90 minutes became evident as Brighton mounted a fierce comeback in the latter stages. Joao Pedro's equalizer and Matt O'Riley's winner sealed a stunning turnaround for the Seagulls, leaving Guardiola to reflect on his team's inability to close out games.
Guardiola admitted that his side lacked the consistency needed to compete at the highest level for the full match. Despite playing well in certain moments, particularly in the first half, City couldn’t maintain their intensity. He explained, "We were not consistent to maintain our game and our intensity and press and be aggressive for 90 minutes." The Spaniard is hopeful that once his key players return from injury and the international break, City's form will improve.
This loss was part of a troubling run for City, having already exited the League Cup to Tottenham and suffered a heavy defeat to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. The team's defensive issues, exacerbated by the absence of Ruben Dias and John Stones, were glaring against Brighton, as they allowed two late goals despite having the lead.
The defeat leaves City five points behind league leaders Liverpool, and Guardiola, while frustrated, is determined to turn things around. “We have to change things quick," he said, acknowledging that sometimes another team may deserve to win the title, hinting at the possibility that City's streak of dominance could come to an end this season. Despite the crisis, Guardiola remains resolute, emphasizing, "I will not step back at all. More than ever I want to do it. We will try again."
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