Pep admits title race could be over as ‘fragile’ Man City suffer fifth defeat

SHAKEN Pep Guardiola admitted “fragile” Manchester City are in crisis after suffering a FIFTH successive defeat.

The four-in-a-row champions’ title defence is in tatters after Guardiola’s heaviest home loss as City boss — days after signing a new two-year deal.

Guardiola said: “Of course everything is not fine. In eight years we have never lived this kind of situation. In this moment we are fragile.

“There are no fairytales in life and sport. Sometimes you have to live through these situations.

“You have to accept it. You can’t blame each other, you have to stay together.

“It would be a mistake to change. Run away? Absolutely not, we have to stand up more than ever. What will define us is when we fail, we stand up and face it.”

Guardiola, who suffered a FIFTH successive defeat for the first time in his managerial career, added: “We are concerned when we don’t win. It’s normal.

“There would be a problem if my players were not worried or that I wasn’t worried.

“I don’t know what will happen this season, but not for one second will I not believe in the players.

“There is no team in the world that can sustain success for eight, nine, ten years in a row.

“We will analyse it, go to the next game and see what happens.”

A double from birthday boy James Maddison, plus goals from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson sealed Spurs’ Etihad rout.

The defeat leaves City five points behind Prem leaders Liverpool, who play at rock-bottom Southampton today.

It was the first time since Chelsea in 1956 that the top-flight champions have lost FIVE games in a row.

Spurs’ stunning victory also ended City’s 35-match unbeaten home Prem run.

A defeat to Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday could see them 11 POINTS adrift and, asked if that gap would be too big to overcome, Guardiola said: “Yep, because Liverpool keep winning.”

Delighted Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said: “I’m proud of the lads. To come to City is a daunting prospect. It challenges every part of you.

“We had to be disciplined and work hard — and play decent football — and we did that.”

And he heaped praise on two-goal Maddison.

Postecoglou said: “He was outstanding. Madders was great.”

Maddison, 28, added: “That’s a birthday I’ll look back on quite fondly.

“To come here to the champions and perform like that and get the result. You have to cherish these ones, they don’t come around often.

“We were brilliant. It was everything we wanted to show of a top Spurs team.

“We were clinical, we pressed at times. We weathered the storm, had determination and scored four brilliant goals.”