Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola labelled Tottenham Hotspur ‘one of the toughest opponent’s I’ve ever faced’ following Thursday’s dramatic 4-2 comeback win in the Premier League, speaking to Sky Sports.
The relief on Guardiola’s face when Riyad Mahrez intercepted a Clement Lenglet backpass and chipped Hugo Lloris as the clock hit 90 told it’s own story.
The Man City boss had been through the ringer during a six-goal barnstormer in the North West; the defending champions booed off at half-time with their side 2-0 down, only to produce the sort of fearsome fightback they have made their trademark. Reminiscent of that final-day triumph over Aston Villa eight months ago.
Eventual 4-2 victory aside, however, Guardiola was still left with more questions than answers at full-time, fearing his City side have lost their edge following so many successes.
Riyad Mahrez inspires Man City fightback against Tottenham Hotspur
“I cannot deny how happy we are. But we are far away from the team that we were (before),” says the former Barcelona boss, arguing that City’s latest comeback was the result of good fortune rather than resolve and spirit.
“There was nothing from the stomach, from the guts. Today, we were lucky. But if we don’t change then, sooner or later, we will drop points again. I don’t recognise my team. My team always has passion and desire.”
Guardiola will know, deep down, that it all could have been oh-so different. Ivan Perisic, mere moments before the wonderful Riyad Mahrez put City in front for the first time just before the hour, saw a shot deflected onto the bar by youngster Rico Lewis.
Had the Croatian found the net – adding to those late first-half strikes from Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal – then a Man City side already trailing Arsenal would have been staring down the barrel of three successive defeats in all competitions.
“Tottenham are one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever faced,” Guardiola adds.
“How they defend, how good they are (being) organised. How good they build up, how they link with Harry Kane, Kulusevski, (Heung-Min) Son, even (Rodrigo) Bentancur. They make incredible switch of plays.
“The threat they have in every single moment is incredible.”
Man City have now closed the gap to Arsenal at the top of the table to just five points. Tottenham, meanwhile, are down in fifth; their hopes of Champions League qualification diminishing by the week.
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