Pep Guardiola was left struggling to find the words to describe Tottenham’s stunning 4-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The City boss was visibly frustrated as he addressed the media following the defeat, which marked his side’s fifth consecutive loss – a run that has left them reeling.
“We didn’t start well, and we paid the price,” Guardiola said. “We had some chances, but we didn’t take them. And then, the first time they arrive [in our box] they score.
“It’s not an excuse, but we have had a lot of injuries. We have missed some important players, and that has made it difficult for us.
“But we have to accept the situation and try to find a solution. We have to work hard and try to get back to our best level.”
Guardiola’s team had started brightly, with Erling Haaland creating two early chances that could have put the hosts ahead. However, James Maddison’s clinical finish turned the tide, giving Spurs the upper hand against the Premier League champions.
Maddison’s brilliant brace earned him the Man of the Match award, and he was joined in receiving praise from Guardiola by Dejan Kulusevski, who also impressed for the visitors.
“Of course, the quality of Kulusevski and Maddison was good,” Guardiola said. “They are top players and they made the difference.
“Maddison is a fantastic player. He has a lot of quality, and he knows how to play. He’s a very intelligent player, and he always makes the right decisions on the pitch.
“Kulusevski is also a very good player. He’s very quick, and he’s got a lot of skill. He’s a very difficult player to defend against, and he caused us a lot of problems.”
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was delighted with his team’s performance, and he praised the impact of Maddison and Kulusevski.
“I’m very happy with the performance of the team,” Pochettino said. “We played very well, and we deserved the win.
“Maddison and Kulusevski were both excellent. They’re both very talented players, and they’ve been working very hard in training.
“Maddison’s goals were fantastic. He’s a very clinical player, and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
“Kulusevski was also very good. He’s a very quick player, and he’s got a lot of skill. He caused Manchester City a lot of problems, and he was a key part of our win.”
The victory marked a significant statement of intent from Tottenham, and it will have boosted their confidence ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
As for Manchester City, they will be looking to bounce back from their defeat and get back to winning ways. With their squad depth and quality, they will be confident of turning their season around and mounting a challenge for the Premier League title.
“We’ll keep working hard and trying to improve,” Guardiola said. “We’ll try to get back to our best level and start winning again.
“We’ve got a lot of quality in our squad, and we’ve got a lot of experience. We’ll use that to our advantage and try to turn our season around.”
Manchester City’s defeat has left them trailing behind in the Premier League title race, but Guardiola remains confident that his team can turn their season around.
“We’re not giving up,” Guardiola said. “We’re going to keep fighting and trying to win every game. We’ll see where that takes us.
“We’ve been in tough situations before, and we’ve always come out on top. We’ll do the same again this time.”
Tottenham’s victory, on the other hand, has propelled them up the Premier League table, and they will be looking to build on their momentum in their next match.
“We’re delighted with the win,” Pochettino said. “It’s a big result for us, and it’s given us a lot of confidence.
“We’ll take this momentum into our next match, and we’ll look to build on it. We’re excited for the challenge ahead.”
