Pep Guardiola admitted he is struggling to come up with answers after another defeat for Manchester City left their hopes of Champions League qualification in the balance.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s 83rd-minute strike ensured Nottingham Forest remained in third place in the table and took Nuno’s men four points clear of the defending champions.
City will be hoping that qualification will be awarded for fifth place this season, with England top of UEFA’s Club Rankings. But the City boss admitted: “We have to find a way to play better.
“We have to start winning games. We don’t win enough games in a row. It is what it is. But we have to do something because it will not come from the sky.”
City keeper Ederson was at fault for Forest’s winner, allowing Hudson-Odoi to beat him at his near post.
Guardiola added: “It is what it is. I never blame a player. I didn't see the action, but it happened. With 10 games left, Forest are in the position that they are because they are a good team.”
Forest boss Espírito Santo has now taken four points off Liverpool, drawn with Arsenal and beaten the four-in-a-row champions.
The City Ground was rocking at the final whistle and Espírito Santo said: “The win is important for our fans to realise we can compete against any team - but it changes nothing for the games ahead.
“We are proud. Let’s enjoy the journey together. There is a bond of trust between the team and the fans. The players feel comfortable playing at the City Ground. It’s been huge for us.
“We are talking about beating the best teams around. When you win it gives you confidence that you can compete well against such good players.
“It helps us to grow - but it doesn’t change the opponent ahead of you and the Premier League is very tough.
“But every good performance you have against a top team helps.”
Dante101
0
or
Dante101
1
needed
Rj13
0
Last year city fans were saying the league isn’t over we city will wait for the second round that’s where we are dangerous but now they fighting for top 4 😂🤣🤣
Seddekoprt
0
this team full of donkeys
livarpool full of jackass
pebbdepsu
2
guardiola stop rotating players like crop rotation... they will never adapt each other like that
Don Zayo
0
Pep, when your very stale and predictable tactics do not work, you blame the players for their poor execution! You are really a pitiful and arrogant fool of a manager! Be humble, learn from the Forest manager who has proved to be vastly superior to you tactically, playing a flawless game defensively and then offensively in the last 20 minutes, making your team look like school boys learning about football. I have watched your every game for the last 9 years, you had great positive influence during the first 3 or 4 years, but dropped off to safe, boring negative football after that due to fear of failure! You won titles and trophies in recent years purely due to luck and the brilliance of players like KDB, Rodri, Foden, Kompany and Gundogen, or even Ortega, who saved you at critical moments. You were lucky, and hardly deserve the accolades that you received. Many people apart from me have clearer eyes to see the true story of your success, but we are outnumbered by conventional narratives, this is really not good for the club and team, as it hinders their progress.
Are you really a man city fan?
Vundeopyz
2
City forever let's just support our city ni time che
Vundeopyz
2
It's time let's just work together as a team city forever
Wanaikmnu
1
We always say that Guardiola is a problem, khusanov is brilliant, Dias is ok, Gvardio is fine but the problem is with a number 2. Vitor Reis should play that number, not Nunes or lewis.
wuyclmnpz
0
Now you know how another managers feel after desperate to win EPL.... Ha...ha...
Nosabenpru
4
Pep, when your very stale and predictable tactics do not work, you blame the players for their poor execution! You are really a pitiful and arrogant fool of a manager! Be humble, learn from the Forest manager who has proved to be vastly superior to you tactically, playing a flawless game defensively and then offensively in the last 20 minutes, making your team look like school boys learning about football. I have watched your every game for the last 9 years, you had great positive influence during the first 3 or 4 years, but dropped off to safe, boring negative football after that due to fear of failure! You won titles and trophies in recent years purely due to luck and the brilliance of players like KDB, Rodri, Foden, Kompany and Gundogen, or even Ortega, who saved you at critical moments. You were lucky, and hardly deserve the accolades that you received. Many people apart from me have clearer eyes to see the true story of your success, but we are outnumbered by conventional narratives, this is really not good for the club and team, as it hinders their progress.
AFerjDxI2311
1
City lost in the forest 🌳
yiobdkostz
0
Don’t blame Doku for City troubles Pep style of football is not working because he over loads the wings with balls hoping Doku will cross the ball into the center for Haaland to score but when Doku receives the ball check how many players surround him from the other team leaving him to try to dribble past them or pass off the ball and if he looses it then he looks stupid. Eighty percent of City attacking plays are made from the left and right wings and the remainder through the midfield
yes man👊
woabdekopr
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both the Manchester teams are cursed team
tysen
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When city win I don’t hear Rodri’s name, tell me why bring up his name when city lose?
Nenbdeikrs
3
Rodri is deserved the best player in the world is true and the best player in city team now I see
Nenbdeikrs
1
you will play conference league in next year.but don't worry every game is a game
OMOB
0
Nottingham Forest are the surprise team of the season no matter what happened at the end of the season. Up Chelsea!!!!!
UHtain
0
You should demend only one to call your wife back to home.
waucenpsty
1
this team full of donkeys
Vudbmopsuy
5
Don’t blame Doku for City troubles Pep style of football is not working because he over loads the wings with balls hoping Doku will cross the ball into the center for Haaland to score but when Doku receives the ball check how many players surround him from the other team leaving him to try to dribble past them or pass off the ball and if he looses it then he looks stupid. Eighty percent of City attacking plays are made from the left and right wings and the remainder through the midfield
Tebdeiky
2
Rodri is the best in the world.The result of City has proved it.Without him they struggle
OneLove⚽️
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Pep from being the best👍🏼 to the worst👎🏼since Rodri's injury#sad but facts.
OneLove⚽️
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Bernardo out, partner Matheus Nunes - Nico and Vitor Reis(RB) would've been a better choice#Pep overthinking.
suobdrtuz
4
Doku for me is smoke without fire. Rico Lewis worst of the bunch. Nunes a picture of how low city have fallen. Benardo Silver and KDB a shadow of their brilliant self. Diaz and Guardiol are like time bomb, always one step away from a major error. Pep is also a shadow of himself. City needs an overhaul.
Mazbcdlr
2
The coach has his own favourite players in the team. Only IF he uses players according to their capabilities the team would start winning. Remember Pep, you are not only losing games you are losing self respect and definitely you are losing fans.
yutacilrst
5
stop passing the ball around and shoot more
Lovebug2
2
Nicole O' Rielly was a shining star against Liverpool's giant Killers yet Guardiola fielded his choice loser Rico Lewis. Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was not even on the bench yet he is twice better than me pushover Lewis. It's pathetic
rewabclmor
2
it was a bad day for citizen but more efforts are needed
leocnosz
2
The players doesn't need the coach any more, just resign one time
betabemru
3
Doku should never play if you want to win
Kunaeilpr
1
Forest beating City, even at home, is big news to me! It shows City isn't playing like them at the moment.
Lovebug2
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Makdeklmns
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play savinho on the bench
Canadnotz
2
Forest on fire 🔥🔥