Boxing Day Nightmare, Manchester City Fall to Leicester City, 2-1: Reaction & Tweets

City lost their third game in four Premier League matches after a crushing 2-1 defeat to Leicester City.

Once again, the champions lost after taking the lead and this time added a new wrinkle ending the game with just ten men following Fabian Delph’s straight red card late in the match.

As festive periods go, this has been a miserable one for the Blues who have now slipped seven points behind leaders Liverpool. City now stand in third place.

On to the reaction:

Pep Guardiola Reaction

“It was quite similar to the game with Crystal Palace,” said Pep, after the Leicester loss.

“We started well, scored a goal and then conceded the first time they arrived in the box.

“They didn’t create too much but we have been punished every time.

“Mentally, we lack a little confidence. We didn’t have many chances, but we were there.

“Aside from five minutes of first half, I think we played quite well.

“I was a fantastic goal to punish us. There are games when the opposition create chances and don’t score (but this was the opposite).

“In football, you have to accept it and work hard. It’s the only way I know. We have to to work harder and try to change results.

“After that, the confidence will be back and make a good recovery.

“In the end, the result is what counts – and we lost.”

The Blues’ boss says his team will get back to where they have been for much of the past 18 months and says the only way to get back on track is hard work and belief.

“By being together and working harder, the results will come,” he said.

“The season is not done - we have to fight for many things - we cannot drop.

“We have to try and find solutions. Ferna was not able to play because he’s injured. We have to overcome this problem. Gundo played well.

“You have to think about how to solve it when you don’t have players in a position.”

Pep added that consistency is the key to a title challenge and that Liverpool and Spurs are above the Blues at present on merit.

“They deserve it,” he said. “They win games when we don’t win games.

“Last season we were so consistent and made a lot of points. They are both so consistent.

“Football is fascinating and unpredictable. You have to be humble, knowing every game is difficult.

“Last season, everyone said it was so easy, but I know how difficult it was. Now we have to start to think about Southampton.”

Bernardo Silva Reaction

“To lose two games in a row – especially at this important part of the season, is never good,” said Bernardo.

“Now we need to check what we’ve been doing wrong, try to improve those areas and start winning games as quickly as possible.

”Seven points to Liverpool is starting to be a lot, we are not in a good moment, but tomorrow is another day. We have to find an explanation and we need a good reaction from all the lads at Southampton.”

Notable Tweets

Next up is Southampton on Sunday to close out 2018. See you then!