Pep Guardiola says Manchester City 'fragile' after heavy Tottenham defeat

Manchester City have "never lived in this kind of situation", manager Pep Guardiola said after his side were condemned to a fifth consecutive defeat in a 4-0 demolition by Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium.

James Maddison's first-half brace was complemented by goals from Brennan Johnson and Pedro Porro in the second half as City suffered their worst-ever defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

It's only the second time in Guardiola's career his side have lost a home game by four or more goals, with this result being City's worst defeat on home soil since a 5-1 loss to Arsenal at Maine Road in 2003 - per the Premier League.

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"In eight years we have never lived this kind of situation," Guardiola told BBC Radio 5 Live after the match.

"Now we have to live it and break it by winning the next games, especially the next one. Now we see things in one way, maybe in a few weeks we see it differently.

"In this moment, we are fragile defensively. We started really well as normal but we could not score and then after that we conceded. After that we conceded some more which is difficult for our emotions right now."

City started the game the stronger of the two sides as Erling Haaland missed two good chances to open the scoring within 10 minutes.

Spurs then went ahead with a rare early attack as Maddison guided home a beautiful in-swinging cross from the in-form Dejan Kulusevski.

Maddison doubled his tally before the break, finishing with a delightful dink over Ederson from close range. City, though, could not salvage a response as the champions struggled to force Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario into making many meaningful saves.

"We are not used to doing this situation but life is like this," Guardiola added. "Sometimes it happens and we have to accept it. It is what it is now and we will stand up and do it."

Speaking to Sky Sports, Guardiola added: "Chances were there. The moment they create the chances the build-up, we couldn't handle the duels like normal. Now we're struggling a little bit.

"It cannot happen. When you play top level teams we can concede chances but it's part of the process. In our situation it's a bit tougher. Of course, Rodri is important, but we knew that for many months.

"We have to come back and freshen our minds. The season is so long. Many things can happen," he concluded.

City face Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night before a seismic test at Anfield where they face league leaders Liverpool next weekend.

Defeat to Arne Slot's side would see City fall 11 points behind their title rivals - providing Liverpool successfully overcome Southampton on Sunday.

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Video credit: SNTV

Maddison - This team is better with me playing

James Maddison was all smiles as he celebrated his 28th birthday with an Etihad Stadium brace, going on to describe the win as "special".

"To come to the champions, with how much they’ve dominated in recent years, to come and win 4-0 is special and I think it’s important for us to enjoy it. These days are rare so we’re going to enjoy this one," he said.

The England international was restored to the starting eleven by Ange Postecoglou after being dropped to the bench for previous Premier League games against Aston Villa and Ipswich.

The midfielder told Sky Sports that he wants to prove to his manager that the team is better with him starting.

"I’m never happy not playing," he said. "The gaffer took me out for tactical reasons but I’ve got a lot of self-belief and if I go through tough spells like that.

"I’m able now, at the age I’m at, to go and show that this team is much better with me in it – not in an arrogant, big-headed way, but a mindset of myself and that self-belief, because that’s the only way you get out of those little ruts.

"I’m really happy that I bounced back today and showed my leadership, I think the manager will be happy with that."

Spurs will now look for consistency, with their momentum being stubbed by upset losses to the likes of Ipswich and Crystal Palace. Maddison believes their performance today shows the side's true colours.

"That’s the real Spurs today," he said. "We had a bit of everything, we pressed hard, defended deep, relied on our keeper, got blocks in, scored on the counter... we were brave. That 90 minutes there is what we want Spurs to be and we’re going to strive to do that more consistently."

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