5 days ago
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PEP GUARDIOLA admitted he is “not good enough” after his Manchester City side threw away the derby in two mad minutes.
The champions slipped to an EIGHTH defeat in 11 matches in all competitions — the same number of losses they had in the Prem over the previous two seasons.
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AFPMidfielder Bernardo Silva ripped into his team-mates who played like “Under-15s” and “deserved to pay” for “stupid decisions”.
Guardiola, who according to NBC did not emerge from the dressing room for 30 minutes after the game, said: “I’m the boss, I’m the manager and I’m not good enough. I’m not doing well — it’s as simple as that.
“I need to talk to them about the way we have to play and press and build-up and I’m not good enough.
“I’m the manager and I don’t find the solution. In a big club, when you lose eight in 11 something wrong is happening.
“It’s my job. My job is not just to win games or lift trophies. I’m incredibly well paid for that reason.
“We want to play better, create chances. But at the moment it’s not possible. There is no defence for eight defeats in 11.”
Guardiola always said he feared this would be a tough season for his weary troops — but admitted he was not expecting things this bad.
He added: “This is a big club, I’m still here sitting here in the press conference because of what we have done in the past.
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“I promise you I tried. I think managers all round the world when they have big problems work more and talk more to try and get the guys to know that we are still good.
“I knew it would be a tough season at the beginning, but I didn’t expect it would be this hard.”
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City were not at their best but Josko Gvardiol’s first-half header looked likely to give them the three points until a moment of madness in the dying minutes.
Matheus Nunes put Ederson in trouble with a weak back-pass and then compounded the error by fouling Amad in the box.
Bruno Fernandes slammed in the spot-kick on 88 minutes to equalise.
And four-in-a-row champs City were caught out two minutes later by a hopeful ball forward which allowed Amad to steal in for the winner.
A furious Bernardo said: “We deserved what happened. At this level, a game or two is unlucky. We can’t say this is lucky or unlucky — ten games, it’s not about that.
I’m the boss, I’m the manager and I’m not good enough. I’m not doing well — it’s as simple as that.
Pep Guardiola“Winning 1-0 and our corner ends in a penalty for them… if we make these stupid decisions with three or four minutes to go you deserve to pay.
“Looking at the game, there was only one team that could win, but at the end we lost.
“We have to look at ourselves. It’s the decisions you make. Today in the last minute we played like Under-15s.”
City midfielder Phil Foden, yet to break his Prem scoring duck this term, said: “We’ve not been used to losing this amount in a short period.
“But sometimes you have to experience it, you can’t always win.”
Man Utd player ratings vs Man City as sensational Amad Diallo turns derby on its head
AMAD DIALLO left Manchester City stunned as he turned the derby on its head.
The flying winger won a penalty, converted by Bruno Fernandes, in the dying embers to level it up.
But the best was yet to come as Amad flicked past an onrushing Ederson before expertly slotting in a dramatic winner from a tight angle deep into injury time.
Here’s how SunSport’s Neil Custis rated the Man Utd players…
Andre Onana – 6
He just does not fill you with confidence. Does not command his area and as we found out midweek in Plzen, his distribution from the back is a major plus for the opposition.
Wasn’t tested that much however.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Looking a calmer presence under Amorim than he did before when he seemed to want to live up to his nickname from his Ajax days of ‘The Butcher of Amsterdam’.
Great through ball at the end to pick out Amad’s run for the winner.
Harry Maguire – 8
Had a great battle with Erling Haaland which the United man won.
The right call to bring the former captain in for such a big game. Looks like he suits the position in the centre of that back three.
Matthijs de Ligt 78′ – 7
A decent enough performance. Looked more comfortable alongside Maguire than other centre-back partners.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Mistimed his jump to be beaten to the ball by Josko Gvardiol for the City opener. Did not create enough going forward from his wing-back role.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Missed a big chance after being put through by Hojlund and clipping the ball wide.
But when the moment comes from the penalty spot he is a cool head in the hottest of atmospheres sending Ederson the wrong way to equalise
Manuel Ugarte – 7
Sat in front of the back four and negated much of what Phil Foden was trying to do for the home side.
Noussair Mazraoui 78′ – 8
The best of the summer buys. Used as the right wing back on this occasion and is able to adjust to whatever is asked of him. One of United’s best performers on the day.
Mason Mount 13′ – 6
Looked very close to tears when he had to come off after early in the game. He is just getting no luck whatsoever with injuries and has not had a decent run since joining the club.
Amad Diallo 90′ – 9
The greatest moment of his career so far with a memorable derby winner. A brilliant run first of all to meet Martinez’ pass, he then clipped the ball past Ederson and while it was a scuffed finish he got it on target.
Had almost grabbed an equaliser with a flick header before that which was well saved by Ederson.
Then was alert to Nunes back pass to win the penalty that did lead to United drawing level.
Rasmus Hojlund 78′ – 6
Most we saw of him was a head to head confrontation with Walker when the City player slumped to the ground and a little fall of his own when he tried to win a pen.
But then he provided a great through ball for Fernandes which should have brought the equaliser.
Subs
Kobbie Mainoo 13′ – 6
Did a solid job as he came on in a deeper role than Mount and Fernandes moved forward
Joshua Zirkzee 78′ – 6
Not the man who is going to come on and change a game, but he did well to hold onto possession in the closing seconds.
Antony 78′ – 6
Came on to try and make a difference but is lacking the confidence which a lack of starts brings.
Leny Yoro 78′ – 6
Continues to ease himself back to full fitness after that summer injury.
Victor Lindelof 90′ – 6
No time to have any influence on the game.
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