Metropolis misplaced all momentum and management and, if not for a few sensible saves by Gianluigi Donnarumma, they most likely would have been crushed.
Usually if in case you have managed the primary half and the opposite group comes at you extra after the break, you may face extra strain and concede extra probabilities however additionally, you will have more room for breakaways.
That didn’t occur for Metropolis towards Spurs, although Frank had left Joao Palhinha and Radu Dragusin two v two towards Semenyo and Haaland as he chased the sport. Firstly as a result of Spurs had been far more switched on, but in addition as a result of Metropolis’s entrance two had been poor.
They didn’t maintain sufficient balls up, or give sufficient choices in behind. I might anticipate way more from them in that situation.
General, although, I might not say what occurred was all the way down to Metropolis being all unhealthy or Spurs changing into sensible – it was a mix of each.
Spurs did significantly better however Metropolis fell down just a few ranges. That distinction in performances from them, between the primary and second half, was as excessive as I’ve seen from Guardiola’s aspect in a very long time.
Metropolis have now solely gained one in every of their previous six league video games, and I feel everyone seems to be stunned by their outcomes as a result of they have a lot high quality and expertise.
The truth about their performances is they don’t seem to be on the stage they need to be, with the gamers they have.
The rationale I can say that’s not due to their previous title triumphs, it’s as a result of within the first half I noticed Metropolis play like a group attempting to catch Arsenal – a group on a mission saying “we’re coming after you”.
A part of the autumn off from them within the second half was self-inflicted – giving the ball away, not profitable challenges or second balls. It was very not like them, as a result of we’re used to seeing them handle video games so nicely.
They aren’t out of the title race but, as a result of the hole is simply six factors and Arsenal nonetheless should go to Etihad Stadium.
Metropolis are nonetheless able to happening the sort of lengthy profitable run that has acquired them over the road earlier than. However in the intervening time it seems to be like there’s a mindset subject with a few of their gamers.
A few of them – not all of them – appear to assume that, after they go up in video games, they’re finished. That isn’t the way you win the title, and that’s not the Metropolis we all know.
Danny Murphy was chatting with BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
