City needed to break losing ‘routine’, says coach Guardiola

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had to break the habit of losing after snapping a seven-game win-less streak by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Wednesday.

The English champions’ barren run included six defeats, the worst run of Guardiola’s managerial career.

However, victory came at a cost as defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji had to be replaced due to injuries.

“We needed it. The club, the players needed to win but it is just one game,” said Guardiola.

“The problems continue with Manu and Nathan. In general, the most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and finally we won, but we have to continue.”

Injury woes have been at the heart of City’s struggles in recent months with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri out for the season due to a serious knee problem.

Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly three months showed what City have been missing as he helped restore order for Guardiola’s men.

The Belgian teed up Bernardo Silva for an early opener and then fired home himself to double City’s lead.

Jeremy Doku rounded off the scoring in the second half as the home side did not suffer a repeat of last week’s collapse from 3-0 up to draw 3-3 against Feyenoord in the Champions League.

Guardiola dismissed suggestions before the game that there had been a rift with De Bruyne as he has been carefully managed back from injury problems.

“Last season was many months (out injured) and this season as well. I’m so happy he’s back,” added Guardiola.

“He fought a lot. In respect to his physicality and minutes against Feyenoord was not good and that’s why I decided not to play at Anfield (against Liverpool) for the rhythm they play.

“But the minutes he played at Anfield were really good and today he played 75 fantastic minutes.”

Neither Akanji or Ake are expected to be fit to face Crystal Palace on Saturday, but Phil Foden could return after missing the Forest match due to bronchitis.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Premier League lead was cut to seven points by Arsenal and Chelsea after the Reds conceded a 90th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Chelsea thrashed 10-man Southampton 5-1 to go second on goal difference ahead of Arsenal, who beat Manchester United 2-0.

Mohamed Salah’s second-half double was not enough to extend Liverpool’s seven-game winning run in all competitions as they failed to win for just the third time in 21 games under Arne Slot.

Twice the league leaders were forced to come from behind at St James’ Park as Alexander Isak blasted Newcastle into a 1-0 half-time lead. Curtis Jones levelled before Anthony Gordon restored Newcastle’s lead.

Salah twice converted Trent Alexander-Arnold assists to turn the game around, taking his tally for the season to 15 goals.

However, there was a late sting in the tale as a rare error from Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher allowed Fabian Schar to squeeze in a late equaliser for the Magpies.

Arsenal took full advantage by inflicting Ruben Amorim’s first defeat as Manchester United boss.

Once again the Gunners were able to rely on their prowess from set-pieces to get the job done.

Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock, heading in Declan Rice’s corner nine minutes into the second half.

William Saliba did not know much about the second, as he diverted in Thomas Partey’s header from Bukayo Saka’s corner, but the Frenchman did not care as Arsenal had the breathing space they craved.

A fourth consecutive win in all competitions confirmed Arsenal’s return to form and applied a little pressure on Liverpool.

Chelsea put bottom-of-the-table Southampton to the sword at St Mary’s even before the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Jack Stephens pulled Marc Cucurella’s hair. Axel Disasi’s early opener for the Blues was cancelled out by Joe Aribo.

But Christopher Nkunku pounced on sloppy Southampton passing from the back to make it 2-1 before Noni Madueke added a third.

Agencies