Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was not in the mood to talk about the title race following his side’s defeat against Norwich City yesterday evening.
The 3-2 loss means the Citizens have already slipped five points behind Liverpool at the top of the table, but Guardiola sarcastically responded that the Reds should be crowned champions after five games played:
“Five points (behind Liverpool) is five points – but we are in September. What could we do? Say ‘it’s September and congratulations to Liverpool, you are champions?’ We recover and go to Ukraine and try and then come back. We drop five points.”
Fans on Twitter were echoing their manager’s words and praised Guardiola’s calmness following the loss:
Our Manager! ?
— Sheedh (@hanasheedh12) 15 September 2019
This guy is the best, if it was a certain Portuguese coach he would have pointed out fingers, but no pep gat the back of his players, it’s just September and still fucking 33 games to play for so @LFC don’t get too comfortable is still@a very long ride ahead ffs
— BASEDONHUSTLE(B.O.H)????? (@EngrWolesola) 15 September 2019
Spirit ?
— Haywhy (@RidwanUsmah) 15 September 2019
We Have Pep ! ??
— *Aditya Chaugule* (@AdityaChaugule) 15 September 2019
I have every faith in you Pep. Come on City one minor set back does not mean anything ?
— DevinaM76 (@DevinaM76) 15 September 2019
Okay ?
— @siyaphonic21 (@siyaphonic211) 15 September 2019
I like this man and how he talks most times.
The man knows, I'm sorry for those who think that the season is over after 5 games ????— ZINCHENKOS FRAU JOY VICTORIA?? (@1Joycityzen) 15 September 2019
Why would he be worried, we were 7 points behind last season. And look how that ended
— HillGoH (@HillGoH1) 15 September 2019
Class
— Dylan (@DylanHeindrichs) 15 September 2019
If you need a reason to think Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world. Watching this will rubber stamp it. @ManCity @premierleague #awesome.
— Mark Smith (@YoungSmudge27) 15 September 2019
Guardiola defended his players after the 3-2 defeat at Carrow Road, and considering his side were on an 18-match unbeaten run, it’s quite understandable that he wasn’t too harsh on the performance.
The City boss’s focus will now be on ensuring they get off to a positive start in their Champions League group. The team’s defending left a lot to be desired against Norwich, though, and they will have to improve when they travel out to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday night.