Published : Tuesday, 7 July, 2020 at 12:00 AM Count : 381
SOUTHAMPTON,
JULY 6: 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 percent 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 a lot of 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 at their best by thrashing 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. "No, I don't think so," added the Catalan when asked if new signings were the key to a change in fortunes. "I
think we played good. 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 enough." Adams has endured a nightmare run in front of goal since a £15 million ($18.7 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 fully 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. Gabriel Jesus has failed to take his
chance in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero in recent weeks and
blazed over with the goal gaping from Joao Cancelo's cross before
Fernandinho struck the post and McCarthy made the first of a string of
saves from David Silva's powerful header. City continued to dominate
after the break as McCarthy spread himself brilliantly to save from
David Silva before Bernardo Silva's goalbound effort was deflected wide. De
Bruyne and the in-form Phil Foden were introduced on the hour mark, but
still the hosts' defence held firm to keep City scoreless for just the
fourth time this season. "When you want to take something against such
an opponent you have to run more, sprint more, fight more, be brave and
also have a little bit of luck," said Southampton coach Ralph
Hasenhuttl. -AFP