By Habeeb Kuranga
Manchester City head coach, Pep Guardiola launched an angry rant towards his own players and supporters in a post-match interview following his side’s win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
City secured vital three points at the Etihad Stadium against a side they failed to beat over two legs last season. Although, Man City fell to a two-goal deficit at halftime, as Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal capitalised on City’s defensive mistakes to make Spurs go ahead in the first 45 minutes.
Quick-fired goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland levelled things up for the Cityzens before Riyad Mahrez – who has been sensational throughout the encounter – scored a brace to take the game far within the reach of Tottenham as the game ended 4-2 in favour of the home side.
Speaking with Sky Sports after the end of proceedings, City gaffer, Pep Guardiola was seen giving a scathing assessment of his players’ performance and the supporters jeered at halftime. The Spaniard said: “We play short and we play because our manager told us how to play like this and have to do this, but there is nothing from the stomach and the guts. We were lucky but without change sooner or later again we are going to drop points.
“[We are lacking] passion, desire, to win from minute one. It’s the same for our spectators, our fans. They are so silent for 45 minutes.
“It is my duty, it is my job. I want my fans back. I want my fans in here. Not my away fans – my away fans are the best. But my fans in here, we want support for every corner, their reaction and support, because we play, we cannot expect [to win].”
Following their back-to-back defeats against Southampton (in the league cup) and Manchester United, Guardiola and his men will be relieved with the win against the Lilywhites and will be aiming to further close the gap on the league leaders in Arsenal. They are billed to host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad on Sunday before facing another tricky test against Tottenham Hotspur.
