Pep Guardiola has pointed to wasteful finishing as the decisive factor behind Manchester City’s run of three consecutive Premier League draws, following a 1-1 stalemate with Brighton.
Despite extending City’s unbeaten streak to 11 games in all competitions, the champions once again failed to convert dominance into maximum points.
City had taken a first-half lead but were unable to press home their advantage, allowing Brighton back into the contest.
On a night where the hosts registered 22 shots to Brighton’s six, Guardiola felt his side created more than enough to secure victory, even if the final outcome told a different story.
“It’s not about deserving to win the game,” said Guardiola.
“The result is the result. I’m not a person who believes what we have done isn’t fair.
“One point for them, one point for us. That is what it is. It was quite similar to the second half against Sunderland, Chelsea maybe we had fewer clear chances, but we missed the passes when it was two against one.”
As the game flowed from end to end, City consistently found space and fashioned openings, yet the cutting edge in front of goal was missing once more.
The gaffer, however, remained encouraged by several aspects of the performance, particularly with new faces bedding into the system.
“I like a lot of the way we played. Many new players and good things – I love that.
“But we didn’t score goals. Too many clear chances. It’s not just one or two players, it’s all the players up front.
“Scoring goals is part of our job when we analyse the game. We played exceptionally well.”
Defensively, City were largely solid, limiting Brighton for long spells and controlling much of the second half. Still, the lack of ruthlessness inside the box proved costly.
“In the good moments in the past, always take the chances. We have the chances, and we did good things defensively.
“The defenders were really good, and we created a lot of chances in the six yard box that we could not score.
“Not just one player, everyone. That’s why we could not win the games.”
With Arsenal holding the initiative at the top of the table, Guardiola was asked whether the recent draws could damage City’s title ambitions, even with plenty of games left to play.
“Of course if you don’t win games, you cannot think about these things.
“We had an incredible result at Nottingham Forest and after we’ve played three games and if analyse how we played, it’s really good.”
Guardiola also acknowledged Brighton’s quality and momentum under Roberto De Zerbi, while maintaining that City were largely the stronger side across the 90 minutes.
“They have momentum, Brighton have had incredible build-up since De Zerbi arrived. They are really good, they have good connections, and they move really well, but except the first five or ten minutes, we did really well in general.
“The first half a bit less, but the second half started incredibly well and in the last 15 or 20 minutes, we had incredible chances. They had them too, we have to be honest.
“We were expecting goals but it’s not about that, we have to score goals. We could not do it, and we have to accept it.”
To compound matters, the Spanish tactician confirmed a fresh injury setback, revealing Savinho will be sidelined for several weeks.
“[He will be out for] one and a half to two months. He will be back.”
As the Cityzens look ahead to their next fixtures, the message from the manager is clear: performances remain strong, but turning chances into goals must quickly return if momentum is to be restored in the title race.
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