Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted capitulation in the 2024-25 Premier League title race following a shock defeat to Brighton at the Falmer Stadium, MySportDab reports.
The Spanish tactician surrendered a one-goal first-half lead to settle for a shock 2-1 loss to the Seagulls.
Erling Haaland fired City into the lead early in the first half but a quick double by Brighton’s second-half substitutes – Pedro and matt O’Riley – turned the game on its head.
Pedro netted the equalizer for the home side before O’Riley grabbed the match-winner five minutes later.
The win saw Brighton secure their second Premier League win in 15 matches against City while the Premier League champions went four straight games with defeats for the first time since 2006.
Also, it was the first time Pep Guardiola had recorded four consecutive defeats in his managerial career.
The heavy relapse has seen City stumble heavily in the Premier League title race with contenders Liverpool capitalizing on the loss to go five points clear on the table after a 2-0 win over Brighton.
Speaking after the game, Pep Guardiola admitted City’s Premier League title race may literally be over.
In a short witty statement, the six-time Premier League winner said;
“Maybe after seven years winning six Premier Leagues, maybe one year another team deserves it.”
Despite obviously standing on a poor bearing in the Premier League title race following the Brighton defeat, Guardiola however offered City fans bouts of hope, insisting the team will bounce back when some of their players are back.
“There is always a first time in life. Normally, people lose games. This is my challenge. I love a challenge. I won’t step back. More than ever, I want to do it. When my players come back, I have no doubt that we will be back at our best,’’ the City boss added.
City’s glaring drop-off began with a 2-1 loss to Bournemouth before losing by the same scoreline to Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup.
The winless run continued at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Portugal in the Champions League matchday four clash against Sporting Lisbon with the team stumbling to a heavy 4-1 defeat.
The team will hope to return to winning ways in their first match after the November international break against Tottenham Hotspur.
