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Manchester City title race aspirations were severely hit after a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.
On a day where inspiration and initiative lacked for the champions and, as has happened on a number of occasions this season, VAR decisions didn’t fall our way, the visitors scored two first half goals and defended in numbers the remainder of the game.
Nicolas Otamendi pulled a goal back at the 85’, but there wasn’t enough time to find a leveler.
On to the reaction:
Pep Guardiola Reaction
“I liked my team, how they play, We conceded a little bit more than usual.”
Obviously they do the counter attack with James, Martial and sometimes it’s difficult to control that.”
“We concede 4/5 counter attacks [in the first 20 minutes]. Penalty and other situations happened, all the other teams are also doing that. Normally we are able to control it but today we didn’t. It is on the quality of the players.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s 5, 14 or 20 points, we have to continue. If we don’t win this time, we are going to try next season.”
“It happens [players dropping off]. It want my team to play like I want them to, after that the counter attacks, when situations happens, when we struggle in some departments. We will make it better next season.”
“The norm isn’t winning all the leagues - sometimes you lose. The important thing is to not give up. In all the games we have played this season, we have played how I want us to play.”
Pep on his exchange with OGS: ‘It was a joke. He complained about hands, and i said ‘Today, please don’t talk about the hands!’
On VAR “Next season it will be better, or we will be luckier. Next season.”
Kyle Walker Reaction
Kyle Walker on what went wrong for Manchester City
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 7, 2019
"I can't put my finger on it. We have to take a look at ourselves" pic.twitter.com/AA6jxwOjN9
Notable Tweets
Done deal. FT United win 2-1. Failure.
— Bitter and Blue (@BitterandBlue1) December 7, 2019
FULL-TIME | We get a late goal through @Notamendi30 but's not enough and United take the three points.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 7, 2019
1-2 #ManCity #MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/aiFol8uOg6
I can’t believe Foden didn’t start or even play today. League is gone we need to play the kids. Foden Garcia THB Braaf(Sane isn’t coming back) we don’t know what we have or know how much money we can save until we see what these kids can offer
— Les Owens (@GoodKidManCity) December 7, 2019
Both Silvas well below par this season (for differing reasons), defence open as a farm gate, injuries telling, hunger missing, midfield shape questionable, passing not up to last season's levels. When almost everything is "just off", the whole shebang is off-kilter.
— Simon Curtis (@bifana_bifana) December 7, 2019
Man City in the Premier League this season when Riyad Mahrez starts:
— DZ Football (@DZFootball_en) December 7, 2019
16 points from 7 games, 1 loss
Man City in the Premier League this season when Riyad Mahrez is benched:
16 points from 9 games, 3 losses
Man City 2019/20 PL Campaign:
— City Chief (@City_Chief) December 7, 2019
Norwich 3 - 2 City
City 0 - 2 Wolves
Newcastle 2 - 2 City
City 1 - 2 United
Dropping points against sh*t teams.
**********Lastly, Man City released a no nonsense and strong statement against the fan accused of racial abuse at the Etihad tonight:
CLUB STATEMENT https://t.co/ml3dmyg5Kf
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 7, 2019