19 January 2023 , 22:44
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola launched a furious rant towards his own players and supporters in a spiky post-match interview following Thursday evening's 4-2 victory over Tottenham.
City secured what was a crucial three points at the Etihad Stadium as they put on a second-half show after initially fallen 2-0 behind. Strikes from Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal had put Spurs in firm control but quickfire goals from Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland levelled matters
Riyad Mahrez then secured victory for the hosts with two goals to top off what was a sensational performance from the Algerian winger. Despite the brilliant victory for his side, Guardiola was left visibly irate after the final whistle - and left his side and the club's supporters under no illusions that he was far from pleased.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the full-time whistle, the former Barcelona manager said: "We play short and we play because our manager told us how to play like this and have to do this, but there is nothing from the stomach and the guts. We were lucky but without change sooner or later again we are going to drop points.
"[We are lacking] passion, desire, to win from minute one. It’s the same for our spectators, our fans. They are so silent for 45 minutes.
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"It is my duty, it is my job. I want my fans back. I want my fans in here. Not my away fans - my away fans is the best. But my fans in here, we want support for every corner, their reaction and support, because we play, we cannot expect [to win]."
Pep Guardiola hit out at his side in the aftermath of his side's win over Spurs (Getty Images)Do you agree with Pep Guardiola's assessment? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Guardiola then claimed that the lack of desire of his side was potentially his players getting far too comfortable at the top of the Premier League and in the process namechecked Arsenal as an example that should be followed.
He continued: "We have to do it, but everyone is like relaxed. The Premier League doesn’t wait. We have an opponent in Arsenal who is like, they have the fire. Two decades. Without winning the Premier League. And every player knows they will go down in history. That’s how we felt when we won the first Premier League and break all the records and another one back-to-back, and two times back-to-back.
"In life and everything we have the fire inside, it’s not, we don’t have to ask anything, I just explained the reality that is so comfortable, and opponents don’t wait. You’re telling me how bad? No, we’re second in the league, so we are not 20 points behind.
Guardiola's scathing assessment continued until reporter interviewing him asked what specifically he had said to his side in the half-time break to get them back on track. He refused to answer before walking out of the room in fury with a short statement: "I don’t have to tell you what I said."