IN reaction to his team’s loss to Brighton in the premier league match on Sunday, August 31, Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, speaking to ViaPlay, said: “When they scored, the game shifted. Until the goal, we were very good, we had chances and played a good game. Unfortunately we could not do it.
“The second half the first 15 minutes, we played well, but then we conceded the goal and forgot to play. The goal changed, not the substitutions. Unfortunately, it was a penalty and we then forgot to play. Everybody makes substitutions to get better.
“Brighton increased (their level) and we started to make long balls instead of trying to play. And that’s what happened.”
On whether he is thinking about the title race, he stated: “Give us a little bit of time. It’s just three games.”
Guardiola, speaking to BBC Sport, added: “Yeah, we conceded two goals. We were excellent for one hour. After the goal, we forgot to play. We were thinking of the consequences.
“I like many, many things we are doing. Like against Tottenham, we started well. I like many things the team has done here today, but we were unable to win. When we conceded the goal, we stopped playing.
“It’s one game. The season has just started. There is a long, long season ahead of us. We will see what happens.”
To SkySports, he stressed: “We concede the goal and after that it shifted. Until then, it was really, really good, we had chances and the team looked aggressive and dynamic.
“We made a good hour and then after the last half an hour, we were not good. We forgot to pass the ball, just played long balls and we were not good enough. It is what it is.
“Erling is our big threat, but in general, we made a good hour and after we concede the goal, a bit like Tottenham, we concede and everywhere we don’t continue to do what we need to do.
“It can happen, you still have time, because it is possible to concede in the Premier League. Of course, everyone makes the substitutions to get better and they did it well, but it all changed after the goal.
“We have a really good squad, and of course, we changed many things from the past to now, which is normal. We need new players to adapt and we need the older ones to help them to cope.
“Rodri played a really good performance and he is a top character. Happy he played 90 minutes and I would say that he could handle his minutes in the national team and after we start the season.
“I like many things that we are doing and when we come back, we know the squad we are going to have and we are going to try to compete.”
Nottingham Forest, boss Nuno Espírito Santo, speaking to BBC MOTD, said: “We were in control and dominant and should have done some things better. The second half was bad.
“We got unbalanced and the urgency to chase the result and not be careful. Summerville created some problems. Since the beginning of the game, we didn’t show the urgency this game required. We should have done much more.
“There are a couple of moments where we had good situations in the box, but not as much as required in a home game.
“We go home, we watch the game and try to make sure we don’t perform this way again.”
On the penalty, he stated: “It was played advantage because of a foul, but we have to look at other things that happened in the game. We made a lot of mistakes that punish us.”
On talks with the owner, he noted: “We have to talk and address things. This result doesn’t help things, but we have to address what the club needs.
“My job now is to help the team. We have a challenge and we must enjoy and play better football. It’s my job. It’s a sad day, we are upset, but we have a second chance to make it right.
“It was a shock. The first half was balanced. It required more speed. We were too slow. That was the idea for the second half but it came the other way around.
“There was no urgency. We were not able to create chances and there was a lack of mobility. We played how West Ham wanted us to play. We made mistakes that punished us. We will look internally so it doesn’t happen again.
“(Crysencio) Summerville’s speed caused problems. When we chased, we left spaces in behind. We all need to know each other better so we can help the team. It’s what we have and today was a bad day, but we bounce back.”
On conversations with Evangelos Marinakis, he stated: “We will have a conversation looking for the best. It’s a difficult day for me. We have to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“I think it’s okay. It gives us a chance with the players who stay here to really work on them. Hopefully our players return healthy.”
On his future, he noted: “I don’t only think what I have to do, but I must do everything in my power to to help the boys.”
It’s not hard to see why City have dropped off. While their current squad is still very good on paper, it’s nowhere near the level it was two to three years ago.
No KDB, no Mahrez, players like Bernardo and Dias seemingly dropping a level. People need to appreciate just how good they were for those five years or so.
James Milner, speaking to BBC Sport, said: “I thought last season might be my last (because of injury). It’s nice to get it (the goal) in a victory. I’m delighted for the boys.
“In the first two games, we didn’t feel we got what we deserved. This win was a real squad effort. It was a great move by the manager (to make four changes at once). The least we can do is come on and try and lift the tempo.”
On his tribute to his former team-mate, Diogo Jota, he explained: “It was horrific (what happened to him). He was a great guy and a great team-mate. I loved him as both. I’ve not scored (in the Premier League) for six years and I was wearing his number. Obviously, I’ve got help from the great man.”
Brighton boss, Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, stated: “Sometimes football is not too much about tactics; it’s about energy, intensity and togetherness on the pitch.
“The substitutes came in and made the difference. You always can spread energy and it gives your teammates and the whole crowd energy and that is very important in football.”We didn’t really believe in ourselves and didn’t feel we were in the game. The players have to deliver on the pitch and all four subs delivered today. i am grateful for everyone.
“What we did after we scored the goal and the subs is that we had the belief. We weren’t happy and satisfied with the 1-1, we want to go for the second and we deserved it.
“Pep is for me, the best coach in the world, and it is always a big challenge to face him. He always had new ideas and you have to adapt. It is always the biggest challenge to compete against him, but it’s not a one man show; it is a team performance, and I am very happy that my players delivered that on the pitch, they committed to each other, suffered together.”
On James Milner and his penalty equaliser, Hurzeler said: “He proved already in training, that’s why he was chosen to take it today.
“So, I am very happy for him. Not only for the goal, but he is still a very important personality and player on the pitch for us. He came on and brought energy and organised it, so I am happy for him.
“He spreads belief. That spreads to the others. There was pressure with the penalty, but he has dealt with pressure in his past and has got highlights in his career. He has proved today he can help us.
“Wins always change the mood.”
West Ham, boss Graham Potter, speaking to BBC MOTD, said: “I have been a manager for 15 years, relatively competent sometimes, but it’s the players. It’s their day today. They’ve carried out the sea in a really good way. We restricted Forest and carried a threat ourselves.
On Bowen, he noted: “There is no doubt about Jarrod; we know how much he loves the club, how much he cares. He’s a fantastic captain. It’s great he gets the moment in front of the supporters who love him.
On Paqueta performance, Potter added: “The noise has been around Lucas for a long time and the way he conducts himself is incredible. He gave everything for the team again today and contributed with a goal and the win.”
On if Paqueta will remain at West Ham, he said: “Yes. It’s what we’re here for – to win and prove we have the quality and prove we are a team. We can enjoy the next couple of days and prepare when the boys are back.”
City’s rebuild has been poor by their own standards, and they’ve not bought well at all. Even before Pep was manger, they went out and bought great players, like Yaya Toure, David Silva, Aguero, Fernandinho, Sterling etc.
This recent haul of Khusanov, Marmoush, Reijnders, Gonzalez, Cherki, etc, just seems a level below.
Brighton boss, Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to Sky Sports, restated: “Football isn’t always about tactics; it’s sometimes about the energy and the togetherness you have.
“We showed in the second half we had this intensity and this energy, and with this you can win your games.”
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