Despite picking up three points at Selhurst Park on Saturday, Guardiola was far from happy with his team’s hard-fought performance.
The game was living proof that not all heroes wear capes – or get games – as Yaya Toure made his first appearance since August 24th, winning the game for The Blues.
Despite almost wiping Pep off his Christmas card list, Yaya bagged a goal after 36 minutes to put City ahead.
Connor Wickham put Palace level after half time, giving the 33-year-old Ivorian the perfect chance for redemption. Finding the net after 83 minutes, it seems all was forgiven.
Speaking after the game, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach seemed less than pleased with the performance despite the result. He said: “I want to be honest with you — we cannot win the title if we play the way we did today.”
With twelve games under his belt as City gaffer, The Spaniard has notched up 27 points. Whilst this leaves him just one behind league leaders Chelsea, it is his lowest points tally at this stage of his managerial career.
Last season at Bayern Munich saw an unbeaten streak which lasted until December 5th. After 12 games they had 34 points, his debut season at the German side was almost as successful, with 32 points from 12.
Manchester City have Borussia Monchengladbach to visit on Wednesday – the team which put an end to Bayern’s winning run last year – and then head to Turf Moor this weekend. With Chelsea and Liverpool both free of any European football, the pressure of competing for top spot only increases.
Five key stats around Manchester City & Pep’s current performances:
- Yaya Toure scored his first Premier League brace since May 2015. It was his first start for The Blues in the league since April, though he did feature against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League playoff in August.
- Pep Guardiola’s men have kept just two clean sheets in their last 15 league games.
- City have scored the same amount of goals as they have points – 27 – which is the 2nd largest tally in the league, behind Liverpool and level with Chelsea.
- Kevin de Bruyne has now assisted seven league goals this season, more than any other player. Move over, Mesut.
- Next up for City is a visit to Turf Moor, where they were beaten 1-0 last time out thanks to a goal from George Boyd.