Man City: Pep Guardiola says players still have 'belief' in title race

Last updated on 29 December 2018.From the section Man City117

Manchester City still have "belief" despite falling to third in the Premier League after back-to-back defeats, says manager Pep Guardiola.

The reigning champions trail leaders Liverpool by 10 points and were overtaken by Tottenham after losing 2-1 at Leicester on Wednesday.

That result made it three defeats in four league games - but Guardiola is adamant there is no cause for concern.

"Why should we not believe with these players?" said the Spaniard.

"Look what we've done in the last 15-16 months. They are absolute heroes for me."

Last season, City became the first team in Premier League history to win 100 points - and finished 19 clear at the top.

Man City suffer second successive defeat

They led Liverpool by two points at the start of this month and were yet to lose in the Premier League this season.

But they will kick off against Southampton on Sunday 10 points adrift, after Liverpool beat Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.

Guardiola's team then host Liverpool on Thursday, 3 January.

"Nothing will change if we lose more games," he said. "Always, we will analyse why it happened and move forward.

"I am close to them and I will be for the rest of our period together."

City have been without key midfielder Fernandinho in their past two matches - and he could miss Sunday's match.

Asked if he could be tempted into the January market to find cover for the Brazilian, Guardiola shook his head.

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117 comments

Comment posted by berserkerphil, at 17:06 29 Dec 2018
Whoops Spurs! Two big wins and the media (as usual) think you're the best team in the world. Wolves showed today that you are not.
Well done Wolves, well deserved.
Comment posted by Them, at 16:06 29 Dec 2018
8 Paul
Which posts have been "vile" up to when you posted?
___
City are very much in the title race, as are Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea, much more exciting so far than last season
Comment posted by WonderBeard, at 09:13 30 Dec 2018
It's only December. Nothing's settled yet.

Of course City are going to bounce back, and of course Liverpool are going to have a blip. As an LFC fan, I'm just enjoying the moment. Only daft people think we've won it already. City are so strong, if they get into their stride, there will be no room for mistakes.

Happy new year, people, whichever team you support.
Comment posted by U17401573, at 16:10 29 Dec 2018
@23

GGMU obviously on Deludamol 😂😂😂

Manure have beaten Cardiff and Huddersfield - and STILL 8 points from top four!

Go play with your crayons sonny
Comment posted by Garsinho, at 17:28 29 Dec 2018
I love the way Darren GGMU winds people up. Its obvious he is not from Devon & not a Utd fan but chose the furthest place from Manchester as he knows it winds people up who think all Utd fans come from anywhere but Manchester. A true Utd fan wouldn't say Utd will win the league this season. As a City fan I salute you the way you get people replying who obviously think you are a Devon red.
Comment posted by Shaibal, at 16:17 29 Dec 2018
Why isn't Kane's name pronouced the same way as Mane and Sane? He should also claim that pronunciation. From today, let's call him Kaanae
Comment posted by U16647489, at 15:58 29 Dec 2018
If Pep said that he didn’t still have belief, at this point in the season, then there would have been a story.
Comment posted by TorquayJohn, at 15:53 29 Dec 2018
City still have one hell of a chance. They’ve raised the bar so high. Liverpool have responded with a unbelievable amount of points so far. Don’t think any team can maintain Liverpool’s points tally so far over a whole season!
Hope spurs remain in it as well!
Comment posted by Jonesey, at 16:16 29 Dec 2018
8. Paul- have had look for the vile comments in the 7 posts made prior to yours. Nothing vile there mate. If you're bigoted against scousers, just say so, though all LFC fans hear about is how 'actual' scousers support Everton, whom i doubt will be commenting at all on this post, so which is it?
Comment posted by U17404884, at 21:55 29 Dec 2018
Use Danilo if Fernandinho is injured. There's no harm in spending money on players to add depth to DM. Spend 20-25 million on a new DM e.g. Lemina.
Guardiola has spend wisely on all his players apart from Bravo etc ; maybe even Mendy-but Mendy is unlucky with injuries but will be alright in future hopefully like Kompany. . Every team spends money like Barcelona - 70 million on Suarez,Juve on Ron
Comment posted by nikthefish, at 17:10 29 Dec 2018
I have it had a text from my chum in Q8

Three ,more workers died today when a scaffold collapsed .

What's that now 1,500.

1500 families without income, 1,500 men dead.

So England and co can play football

Perhaps the BBC could investigate this, but they won't , too much money involved so lives don't matter.
Comment posted by Them, at 16:52 29 Dec 2018
Total collapse by spurs, Wolves getting some great results againsts top 5 clubs
Comment posted by Macab, at 16:19 29 Dec 2018
To see two good players Mahrez and walker on the bench it really escapes me. To win the premier league or the CL you need to play your best players . This is what Klopp has been doing since the start of the season,whereas genius Guardiola is experimenting with a different formation every week. The team rotation system is outdated and won't work.
Comment posted by Honest discussion, at 15:42 29 Dec 2018
So they should - still the best team in the league, plenty of time to come back and a match against liverpool on the horizon.
Comment posted by Don Richy, at 11:34 30 Dec 2018
I am a Man Utd fan, but trust me, Liverpool will grab the title. I really don’t know why a lot of you are hating on them.
Weeks ago, Pep played down tittle chances while they were 4points ahead, how then is he talking about having a chance when he’s 10 points below Liverpool? Panic mode I guess. Today, they will loose or draw at Southampton and at Etihad on Jan 3. So it’s over for Pep this season
Comment posted by Coolverine, at 09:38 30 Dec 2018
Man City will be in the mix come the end of the season, they are too good not to be.
Comment posted by U17006310, at 00:18 30 Dec 2018
93... nobody ever thinks of playing kompany at DM yet that's exactly where he played when Hughes signed him. Yes there's a decade passed since and he's had manifold injury problems that would affect a DM more than a ch but for a couple of games?? The guys a very intelligent footballer
Comment posted by Wifinot, at 18:11 29 Dec 2018
I know it's not technically about the story, but I love Peps hooded cardigan, it looks so warm and it's functional with the pockets.I listen to Radio 2whilst driving but not at full volume obviously as I respect my neighborhood. My zafira seized up recently taking the kids to school,what a drag! Now I hope this doesn't get removed for being complete twaddle and nowt to do with Man City. Centurions
Comment posted by numptylad, at 17:41 29 Dec 2018
As a City fan I believe they can win the League, I hope the players do too. I have followed City through thin and thinner, so it is great to be where we are.
There will always be jealousy, but some of the comments made, not just here, are just sad.
To these people I say, Ok, have a go, but, remember that your team cannot be playing that well if all you want to do is join another teams HYS.
Comment posted by J M S, at 16:13 29 Dec 2018
I see the Devon Boy has thrown his 2ps worth in. City Born and Breds like me realise that lots of things need to go your way to be PL Champions. The League table doesn't lie so toddle off and look at the clubs above you and when you have something constructive to say you can comment on My Club. When was the last time you ever made it to United.Answer Never