Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, has called his side’s performance against Tottenham on Saturday ‘disappointing’, refusing to blame a series of refereeing blunders for City’s 4-1 drubbing away at White Hart Lane.
The North London side shattered their Citizens hoodoo, with England striker Harry Kane breaking his six-match goal-drought to net against the title-favourites on Saturday after Kevin De Bruyne gave the visitors the lead.
Before their loss – a third in four games for Pellegrini’s men – City boasted a stellar record against Mauricio Pochettino’s team, having won eight of their last nine meetings with an aggregate of 28 goals scored to seven conceded.
But after the weekend defeat, Pellegrini said: “We didn’t defend set pieces very well today and conceded two goals that way during the game, which is disappointing.
“We are disappointed to lose two league games in a row.
“I think that we didn’t play very well against West Ham in the first half and we didn’t play well here in the second half.”
The game was marred by a plethora of questionable decisions by the linesmen, with three of the five goals scored – including De Bruyne’s opener for City – borderline offside.
But Pellegrini was keen not to allow excuses to be made for his team’s lacklustre display, insisting: “I don’t want to continue talking about the goals because these are mistakes referees can make.
“We scored a goal and we had two or three clear chances to score again but didn’t take them.
“After that they scored with an offside goal and in the second half I think Tottenham played very well.”
City’s next bout will see them travel to face Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Champions’ League group stages.
City lost their opening match against Italian champions Juventus 2-1 at the Etihad, and will look to kick-start their European crusade with a win against the Foals.
Gladbach’s much-vaunted manager, Lucien Favre, recently resigned following five consecutive losses, representing the club’s worst-ever start to a Bundesliga campaign.
Since the Swiss’ departure, Gladbach have collected two wins from two, and will be looking to make the most of City’s recent stutters to make amends after they too suffered a loss on the opening Champions League match-day with a 3-0 loss to Europa League Champions, Sevilla.
Sure to be slightly concerned by his side’s apparent lack of steel, Pellegrini said: “In the future we must play every game as though it is a final.”
Image courtesy of Beanyman Sports, via Youtube, with thanks.
