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PEP GUARDIOLA TURNED on his players and fans despite a dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over Spurs.The Manchester City boss believes his team have gone soft after winning four of the last five titles and said he needs his home support back as well.
The reigning champions got their title bid back on track following a 4-2 comeback victory against Tottenham, mainly thanks to a 12-minute blitz after the break.
Pep Guardiola launched an angry attack on Manchester City fans and playersCredit: Reuters
But City were staring down the barrel at a fourth defeat in 10 Premier League games at half-time.
That’s because Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal struck at the end of the opening period to put Spurs 2-0 ahead.
And City were booed off.
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But whatever Guardiola said in the dressing room worked as his side turned the game around instantly thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez.
The Algeria star then made the points safe late on after a deft chip over Hugo Lloris.
Asked what his team were lacking Guardiola said: “Guts, passion, fire, desire to win from minute one. The same with our fans, they are silent for 45 minutes.
“We are far away from the team that we were. Not in terms of play, we played good in the first half, but here are many things in terms of competitiveness and what we have to do that we are far away.
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“We have to do it but everyone is relaxed. In the Premier League, no way.
“We have an opponent in Arsenal who have the fire. Two decades without winning the Premier League and every player knows they will be in history, like we felt when we won the first Premier League and broke all the records and went two times back-to-back.
“We have to have the fire inside. I am explaining the reality, everything is so comfortable, but opponents don’t wait.
“I don’t recognise my team, they (previously) had the passion and desire to run.”
City cut the gap at the top to Arsenal to five points with the win.
But Guardiola said: “We are far away from the team we had in previous seasons.
“Do you think this comeback will happen every time? It won’t. Do you think we are going to chase the gap to Arsenal the way we are playing? No way.
“I want a reaction from the players and staff. I do not want to be a ‘happy flowers team’.
“I want to beat Arsenal but if we play that way Arsenal will beat us.”
The Manchester City boss watched his team go two behind right on half-time through Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal and were booed off at half-time.
Guardiola said: “They booed because we were losing but not because we played bad – we played good. Maybe it’s like our team.
“Maybe they are so comfortable winning four Premier Leagues in five years. And after we scored they react, but that is not the point.
“I want my fans back. My fans in here. Not my away fans, my away fans are the best.
“My fans here to support every corner, every action because we cannot expect. Tottenham is one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever faced.
So we could not expect to be 3-0 up after 30 minutes.”
City roared back through Julian Alvarez on 51 minutes, Erling Haaland two minutes later and then a brace from Riyah Mahrez in the 63rd and 90th minutes.
The result increased the pressure on Spurs boss Antonio Conte who has now seen his side lose three of their last four Premier League games.
Conte said: “We played a good game with personality, we put a lot of pressure on them. At the same time I’m disappointed because this is the first time in my career that my team conceded four goals in one half.

“When I tell you that we have to try to reduce the gap, the process has just started and it means that you have to improve tactically, technically the experience of this team.
“We conceded a goal in the second half then another after two minutes.
“Usually when this happens, you have to be calm and to find solutions to pass ten minutes and breathe and then play. We conceded the second goal quickly. 
“We were unlucky because after 2-2 we had a massive chance to score to go up. Instead we conceded another two goals.
“We need patience and we need time to create something important. On one side I’m really disappointed because we concede four goals.
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“We are conceding many more goals than last season. On the other side, with more attention and focus we are good because we played with personality and we created problems for Manchester City.
“These games are important to understand the difference between us and other top clubs. In this moment, we have a lot of difference but we are ready to continue to work and fight.” More

GARY LINEKER teased Tottenham fans by describing his former side as “Spursy” following their second half collapse against Manchester City.Antonio Conte’s side had a shock 2-0 lead at half time after two goals in quick succession just before the interval.
Gary Lineker teased Tottenham after their collapse at the EtihadCredit: BBC
Riyad Mahrez completed the turnaround for Manchester CityCredit: Alamy
Tottenham suffered a second defeat in the space of five daysCredit: Reuters
Firstly, Ederson’s poor pass was punished by Dejan Kulusevski, who scored his second goal in as many trips to City.
Spurs were in dreamland moments later when Ederson could only parry Harry Kane’s strike into the path of Emerson Royal.
And the Brazil international did the rest by heading into the open net.
But City staged a stunning second half comeback to close the gap on leaders Arsenal at the top.
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Julian Alvarez reduced the deficit after thumping home through a crowded area.
And then Erling Haaland ended his mini drought to bring Pep Guardiola’s men level.
Riyad Mahrez, who had been difference maker for City, then completed the turnaround when he stole the ball back and drilled past Hugo Lloris at his near post.
The ex-Leicester winger then sealed the points in stoppage-time with another smart finish over the Frenchman.
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It compounded a miserable five days for Spurs, who suffered a SEVENTH league defeat in 12.
And Lineker was first to make fun of the North London club.
On Twitter, he said: “Well, this has all gone a bit Spursy.”
The result leaves Tottenham six points behind the top four having played a game more than both Manchester United and Newcastle.
To make matters worse, they face Haaland and Co at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 5 February. More

MANCHESTER CITY players were booed off by their fans following their poor first half showing against Tottenham.The Premier League champions failed to take control of the game and went in at the break behind.

Manchester City players were booed off against TottenhamCredit: Reuters
Dejan Kulusevski was able to capitalise on poor play from goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Rodri to give Spurs the lead.
And it got worse for City before the break as Emerson Royal headed the visitors into a two-goal lead.
At the half time whistle boos could be heard from the home fans.
Sky Sports pundit David Jones said: “They were booed off Micah, I can’t remember hearing that here.”
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Former Man City defender Micah Richards slammed the boos in his response as he suggested the team have done enough to earn more respect.
He replied: “No, that’s not acceptable. City have brought joy for years now.
“They won four leagues out of five.
“You can’t be booing.
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“I’m always with the fans but you can’t be booing the players like that.”
City and the club’s fans will be hoping to turn the score around after the break.
Arsenal however will be watching on and thanking their rivals for putting a dent in City’s title challenge. More

EDERSON made a howler to gift Tottenham the opener in their clash at the Etihad.The City stopper played a terrible pass that Rodri could only flick into the path of Dejan Kulusevski, who coolly swept home.

Ederson made a shocking mistake for the openerCredit: Getty
Dejan Kulusevski accepted the gift and put Spurs aheadCredit: EPA
The reigning champions had been playing some risky football around the back throughout the game, but got away with it on a couple occasions.
However, their luck ran out on the stroke of half-time when another loose pass was capitalised on by Spurs.

Having received the ball back from Nathan Ake, Ederson played a pass into Rodri just inside the City penalty area.
But the midfielder’s attempted clearance landed at the feet of Kulusevski.
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And just like he did on this ground 12 months ago, the Swede accepted the gift to slot past Ederson and put Tottenham ahead.
Things went from bad to worse just two minutes later for Pep Guardiola’s men too.
That’s because the North London side doubled their advantage.
But he owed plenty to Harry Kane, who’s hard work won the ball back inside the box and his powerful shot was too hot to handle for Ederson, who could only parry his effort.
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And Emerson Royal was on hand to head home into the empty net for his first ever Premier League goal.
Fortunately for City, they flew out of the blocks flying for the second half and were level within 10 minutes thanks to Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland to make it 2-2 in quick succession. More

FANS have been in disbelief after Pep Guardiola named an incredibly strong bench against Tottenham Hotspur.Manchester City are facing Spurs in the Premier League as they hope to recover some ground on league leaders Arsenal.
Kevin De Bruyne was on the bench for Man City against TottenhamCredit: PA
Phil Foden joined the midfielder on the bench along with several other starsCredit: Getty
However, in the vital match, Guardiola left a number of his star players on the bench.
The Spaniard’s options for substitutes consisted of Aymeric Laporte, Kalvin Phillips, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne, Stefan Ortega and Joao Cancelo.
Fans took to social media to discuss the craziness of the bench as one tweeted: “The entire Man City bench would start for us.”
A second commented: “Man City’s bench is stronger than our XI.”
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A third wrote: “If there’s been a better bench in Premier League history, I’ve not seen it. Ridiculous.”
A fourth said: “Every single outfield player on Man City’s bench today gets into our starting 11 somewhere… agree?”

A fifth added: “The Man City bench looks better than most of their starting lineup.”
The entirety of the bench cost the club an estimated £373.5million.
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This figure is more than most Premier League side’s starting elevens and probably some of their entire squads.
Spurs go into the game in 5th place in the league table after their weekend defeat to North London rivals Arsenal.
A win for Antonio Conte’s side will help them close the gap to 4th placed Newcastle. More

KEVIN DE BRUYNE has been DROPPED for Manchester City’s game with Tottenham.The City captain has started all-but one Premier League match this season but finds himself on the bench for the visit of Antonio Conte’s side.
Kevin De Bruyne has been dropped for tonight’s game against TottenhamCredit: PA
The only other time the midfielder found himself out of the starting XI for a league game was for the 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
And on that occasion he was rested.

But De Bruyne has paid the price for his performance in the Manchester derby defeat on Saturday.
The Belgian did assist Jack Grealish’s opener, but his side dropped more points in their pursuit of leaders Arsenal following a late collapse.
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De Bruyne isn’t the only high-profile name to drop out of the side though.
Pep Guardiola has made two changes to his back four with John Stones and Rico Lewis replacing Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo.
Meanwhile, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva also drop out with Julian Alvarez partnering Erling Haaland up front, while Grealish returns.
In total, Guardiola has made FIVE changes to his side from the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
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That’s despite City badly needing to win to keep up their fading title hopes with the gap to the Gunners currently eight points.
But with Arsenal not in action until late on Sunday, beating Spurs and then Wolves would leave them just two adrift of Mikel Arteta’s men.
Tottenham have also made changes with Emerson Royal, Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur replacing Clement Lenglet, Matt Doherty and Pape Matar Sarr. More