Pep Guardiola said hopes of a fifth successive Premier League title will be over if Manchester City lose at Liverpool next week after his “fragile” side suffered a fifth defeat in a row.

City were comprehensively beaten by Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium, with James Maddison scoring twice before Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson added more goals.

City became the first reigning champions to lose five games in a row since Chelsea in 1956 and Guardiola’s team could fall 11 points behind Liverpool if they are beaten at Anfield next Sunday.

In the event of a defeat, Guardiola insisted the main objective of the season would be securing a Champions League place, rather than looking at the title.

“When you lose 4-0 you can only congratulate Tottenham. We are a bit fragile right now, we struggled to score goals in this game and we are playing a bit in our thoughts with negativity. We lost three games in the row in the Premier League but we have to break these results,” the City manager said.

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

Walker backs champions to bounce back

When asked whether an 11-point deficit would be too much to make up to win the title, he added: “Yes. In terms of Liverpool winning, winning, winning.

“We have to think about the next game rather than the end of the season. We won it in the past because we deserved it, now we have to step-by-step get better and first of [all] qualification for the Champions League.”

City had John Stones come off at half-time in discomfort, having returned to the team after missing international duty. Kyle Walker, who captained the team, said the players have the ability to return to winning ways.

“It’s hard to stand here and speak about it when I haven’t properly digested it yet. I’ve stood here when we won titles so I’ll stand here for defeats too,” he said.

“Hopefully the mojo comes back and we see the normal City from the past eight seasons. Your powers don’t just go. We know our qualities and weaknesses. You get a win, you get your confidence and we’re back to how we used to feel.”

“I wouldn’t say we’ve lost confidence together. I’ve spent eight years with this group. You lose confidence as a team but we have to remember what we’ve achieved together. What we’ve achieved in the past means nothing, it’s history. We have one team above us doing really well. We’ll keep fighting to the end as we always do.”

Spurs’ win came after questions were asked of manager Ange Postecoglou following the defeat by Ipswich Town before the international break.

Postecoglou: ‘We got back to our core beliefs’

“Look, you don’t come to a place like this expecting it is going to be as convincing as it was for us,” said the Spurs manager. “City test you in every football way possible, you have to do a bit of everything – defend, work hard, be disciplined and play football and in all four areas we got to a really strong level.

“After a really disappointing game last game we got back to our core beliefs. Credit to the lads, they were outstanding. We had to weather a storm and then grew into a game. [I’m] so pleased for the players, trying to play the way we want to. It furthers our progression.

“You have to be [clinical]. They won’t give you too many opportunities. There was a calmness and maturity about how we handled the ball. Against City you can get spooked and don’t want to play against them. But you have to play.

“They test you in every way – mentally, physically, tactically. Our flat spots have been really flat and something we need to eradicate. We’re a much better team this year than last year. We just need to find consistency.”

The Telegraph

James Maddison the main man at Sunday roasts – and in Tottenham’s humiliation of City

Submitted by daniel on Sat, 23/11/2024 - 21:07

For a man who likes to be the “main man” at family roast dinners, it has been a quiet time for James Maddison recently. Hooked at half-time last month and on the bench more often than not since, he would have been on it again at the Etihad Stadium were Rodrigo Bentancur not banned for a racial slur aimed at his own captain.

However, like at the Toby Carvery, he cannot be starved of the limelight for too long, such is Maddison’s character. On his 28th birthday, he was centre stage in Tottenham’s stunning win at Manchester City with his two first-half goals; blows which the Premier League champions never recovered from.

It has been a long two weeks for Maddison during an international break when he was not called upon by Lee Carsley. The England interim manager had nine pull-outs when it seemed players were more interested in rest than Nations League promotion, yet Maddison was left waiting for the call.

Perhaps being overlooked for England played a part in his performance against City. He was fired up, energetic to the point of being manic in central midfield, before showing calmness when chances were presented to him in the penalty area. One crisp volley from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross, then a chipped finish when Son Heung-min sent him through.

Spurs fans chanted his name

“That’s a birthday I’ll look back on quite fondly. To come here to the champions and perform like that and get the result. You have to cherish these ones, they don’t come around often,” Maddison said afterwards.

“I thought we were brilliant. It was everything we wanted to show of a top Spurs team. We were clinical, we had cutting edge, we pressed at times. We weathered the storm, had grit and determination and scored four brilliant goals.”

Spurs fans chanted his name when he was subbed off late for a breather. They had been treated to his trademark darts celebration after he hit the bullseye with his first strike. He then joined in with a Mario Kart celebration for his team’s third, by Pedro Porro, in a nod to the computer game that he and team-mates play.

“He was outstanding. You have to be against City, and Madders was great,” said Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou. “He’s gone through a lean spell but I never doubted his ability. I thought the kind of game we were expecting would suit him.

“I thought we’d need his ability to keep the ball in tight midfield areas. I take it personally on myself if players aren’t reaching their level, that’s on me to get him back up there. If I’m not getting the maximum out of players it is self-reflection on me to what I can do.”

Maddison’s famous roast-dinner quote actually came while on England duty, at the start of last season after he had forced his way back into Gareth Southgate’s plans having spent four years out of the picture.

Southgate starting him appeared to be a positive sign but he was not included in the final Euro 2024 squad and this season has been inconsistent, which Postecoglou says is a reflection of his team as much as the player.

‘I feel good, I never doubted myself’

It was against West Ham when he was taken off at half-time, which is a blow to the pride of any player. He was on the bench for Spurs’ previous two Premier League games and then watched the likes of Morgan Rogers overtake him in battle for England places. Maddison will be hoping Thomas Tuchel was watching his performance at City.

“He didn’t go away on international duty, the coaches worked really hard with him and I sensed he was ready for a big game,” added Postecoglou. “It wasn’t just his goals, he was really important in the build-up and defensively worked hard. I still think he has had a decent season but we want to be more than that. He hasn’t lowered his ambition or level of the player he wants to be.”

Maddison’s position helped against City. He was fairly deep in midfield, adding support to Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr but also breaking forward. As a child he was brought up on a diet of Paul Gascoigne clips on YouTube, fed to him by his father Gary. In that No 8 role he was involved in all parts of the game.

There is also that Gazza-like showmanship that Maddison embraces, quick to give it back to taunting fans or celebrate as he did at the Etihad.

The Telegraph