Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva could have managed the game better in the build-up to the equaliser from Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise on Saturday.
After his side’s 2-2 draw, Guardiola was quizzed about (via Hayters TV) why his side are struggling to close games out this season in his press conference.
In the space of 19 minutes, Manchester City surrendered their comfortable 2-0 lead to drop more points in the Premier League, courtesy of goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise.
Pep Guardiola suggests Manchester City duo Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were at fault for Michael Olise’s goal against Crystal Palace
Despite receiving the ball in plenty of space, Phil Foden ran into his opponent while trying to dribble, losing possession and allowing the visitors to kickstart a counter-attack at the Etihad Stadium.
While Palace’s opportunity did not lead to much, Bernardo Silva tried to do the same as the Englishman close to his side’s penalty area before being dispossessed by Jean Philippe-Mateta. Ultimately, Foden made an attacker’s challenge inside the box and Olise converted the penalty in the 95th minute.
Pep Guardiola felt Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva should have made better decisions in the lead-up to the last-gasp strike from Crystal Palace against Manchester City.
“How they close the games, don’t give away that penalty and the game will be over. If Phil [Foden] keeps the ball in the middle in that position or Bernie [Bernardo Silva] keeps the ball in that position and the game was over. And after when arrive there because they [Crystal Palace] have quality”, he said in his press conference (via Hayters TV).
The Manchester City duo showed a lack of game intelligence
Considering Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva have a wealth of experience under their belt, for them to make such naïve errors when Manchester City were just 2-1 up came as a surprise, as Pep Guardiola is spot on in his post-match assessment.
Foden’s tackle is perhaps the least of the concerns as ultimately, several forward-thinking players tend to be rash when it comes to making such tackles.
But the Stockport-born technician as well as Bernardo Silva, who have been a part of many such games where their side have had to hold a lead should have been more sensible in possession.
Especially considering the number of previous games this season in which Manchester City have capitulated right at the end already.
