Guardiola praises Man City's intensity after draw

2023-05-25 13:22

Guardiola praises Man City's intensity after draw


Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola praised the intensity of his Premier League title run after Wednesday's 1-1 draws with Brighton and Hove Albion, although he admitted to having had some drinks to celebrate 48 hours earlier.


City dropped league points for the first time since February as Brighton's Paraguayan teenager Julio Enciso scored a stunning goal to end their 12 - match winning streak in the league.

Erling Haaland, who opened the scoring for Phil Foden , had a late goal disallowed, leading to a yellow card for Guardiola, who hates dropping points.

City have one league game left before the FA Cup final against Manchester United and the Champions League final against Inter Milan.

Victories in both games would bring City on a par with Manchester United's treble-winning side, so Guardiola's side could be forgiven for claiming their fifth title in six seasons at the weekend. However, their lack of victory was more due to a good Brighton team clinching a Europa League place.

" Extraordinary game. Congratulations to Brighton for qualifying for the Europa League, " Guardiola told Sky Sports. " The game we played for 48 hours after drinking all the drinks in Manchester , we played well after 48 hours and we showed why we were champions in that team.

" We showed what we did with the ball and without the ball. I didn't see any drop in our intensity or thinking. They had chances, we had chances, we scored a goal, they scored a goal .

" Both teams want to have the ball, both teams want to press. The goalkeeper is the foundation of the game. Their (Brighton) quality is fantastic and they're a fantastic team. "

Guardiola praises Man City's intensity after draw

Guardiola shared some jokes with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerby during the game and congratulated the home players warmly.

But he was furious that Haaland's goal had been disallowed for pulling the jersey.

" Watch. Watch, if it's a mistake, every move Erling makes is wrong, " he said of his 52- ball striker.

Pep Guardiola says his side must not lose any momentum in their quest to make history.

" I didn't see it, I didn't see it today against Chelsea. During the week we have to rest and get our spirits back, " he said.

" Playing against Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, chasing Arsenal in the last six months has been demanding.

" Training now is just about relaxing. "

Brighton's view means they can make plans for the club's first European adventure, the Europa League.

" What a great achievement, what a great club, what a great group of people. Unity, culture and we've all been driven by top, top managers. Exceptional times," said goalkeeper Jason Steele .