Pep Guardiola has insisted he wants a response from his Manchester City side, after conceding another three goals against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Champions have conceded eight goals in their last three Premier League games, losing the lead and dropping points on all three occasions.
Guardiola admitted that the leaky defending has fallen below the standards he expects, especially from a team who won a treble back in May.
“Except the Chelsea game, where we did concede more [chances], the rest of the games have been quite similar. I would say they’re even lower than last season when we won the Treble – the chances we concede. But in reality, yes, we have conceded a lot of goals. We have to get better, of course”, said Guardiola.
“When you concede two or three goals a game, it is difficult to sustain it for a long time. We have to improve, but at the same time we have not conceded a lot of chances. Hopefully we can continue with that, and that is a good sign, I would say.”
Manchester City were charged by the FA for surrounding the match officials during their game with Spurs, Manchester City have until Thursday to respond to the charge.
The City boss was adamant that his players have behaved professionally throughout the campaign, but accepts a fine may be coming from the FA.
“We behaved incredibly this season. How we behaved in our not good results or decisions, even after the game the comments from my players accepting we can do better, is what I want to see from my team and my club. After that, we’ll accept all the decisions from the Premier League or whatever”, Guardiola said.
“The motivation is to try and do better. Sometimes decisions help us, sometimes they are against us. I learnt from where I come from that if you want to win something, you have to do it much, much better than the opponent.
“When you are level or have the feeling that it is not going to happen, you have to do much, much better. This is what they have to do.
“We have to try to reduce the amount of chances we concede, try not to concede goals and try to play. My feeling today is that we are going to win the Premier League. If you ask me, we are going to win the Premier League.”