After Arsenal slipped up against Everton yesterday, there was an emphasis on Manchester City to pile some pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side and leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with three points.
However, City put in a truly dismal performance and lost 1-0 to Antonio Conte’s side, courtesy of a first-half goal from Harry Kane after a mistake by Rodri. City now stay five points behind Arsenal having played a game less, and the odds of retaining the title for a third successive season look awfully slim
Pep Guardiola spoke after his side’s fourth defeat of the season and downplayed his side’s chances of retaining their title. “We are not in the position to think about being champions.” [via @SkySportsPL] City were abject and thoroughly deserved to lose the game, the Blues looked disjointed and void of any creativity and defensively looked exposed as Spurs transitioned supremely.
Guardiola also hinted at fatigue and the long trip down to London as a potential reason for his side’s poor showing. “Coming from Manchester to London, it’s like going to northern Europe. It’s 4hrs 20mins to get to a hotel. It’s so exhausting, I’m sorry.” [via Simon Bajkowski @spbajko] City were victorious when they travelled to London to face Chelsea last month, Guardiola’s excuse will not resonate with the City faithful, the Blues were just not up to scratch.
City face Aston Villa next Sunday and with the away trip to Arsenal looming, perhaps Guardiola can take his own advice and find another way for his side to commute to London as City need a much better performance to have a chance of defeating the league leaders.