Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted his team will be a Premier League force again in the future after Erling Haaland sealed a 1-0 win at Tottenham on Wednesday.
Back in the first eleven after recovering from his latest injury, Haaland’s clinical finish in the 12th minute bolstered City’s bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League as they moved into fourth place.
Having won the Premier League in the last four seasons, Liverpool look almost certain to take the title this season, but City — beaten 2-0 by the Reds on Sunday — have been out of the race for months after a dismal period which has left them 20 points adrift of the leaders.
With Guardiola’s team also out of the Champions League following their play-off loss to Real Madrid, Guardiola has only the FA Cup left as a path to silverware this season.
Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his Manchester City’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Despite their inconsistency this season, Guardiola remains convinced City can be restored to their former glory.
“Never will be this season the old City,” Guardiola said. “Old City were too good, but we will be back.
“The game, it was open second half because we didn’t close the first. In this stadium always they have 20 to 25 minutes and second half we suffered.
“It’s happened many times this season that we give away an unbelievable amount of goals and up front there are many games, like Champions League at Sporting we should be 1-3 or 1-4 in the first half and we lost 4-1. Many times it happens and today fortunately it finished good.”
Pep Guardiola will be eager to see his team hold on to the Champions League spot as they hope to end the season on a high by qualifying for the tournament and winning the FA Cup.
