Pep Guardiola admits Man Utd derby defeat ‘killed’ Man City as he concedes Premier League title is gone

The reigning English champions ensured that, despite their nightmare run in the past couple of months, they ended 2024 on a high as they beat Leicester City 2-0 at King Power Stadium on Sunday courtesy of goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland. This was the club's second win in their last 14 outings across all competitions.

Despite finally getting back to winning ways, manager Guardiola admitted that his team can no longer win the Premier League this season as he suggested his players are unable to compete for the full 90 minutes. He also claimed that the defeat in the Manchester derby had broken the team mentally.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the match, the ex-Barcelona boss said: "So many days without winning when we are used to it. It's a relief. The performance was not our best, Leicester were good. Happy for the result for the players, their commitment to be here.

"We can not sustain for 90 minutes, today we proved that again. Commitment and physicality. Clear our minds now by getting results. We are far away from winning the Premier League. We accept there's already no chance of that but we have other things to fight for. FA Cup, top four and winning games helps."

He added: "They were better than us in the second half. We can not sustain the aggression and pressing. We just can't right now. This is just one game. The game against Manchester United hurt us a lot in terms of confidence.

"That game killed us. That game was mentally a struggle then tough games against Aston Villa and Everton. It is what it is, we have to hunt for wins and that's life. Most of the players proved again they are ready to fight."

The Cityzens will be back in action in 2025 as they take on West Ham in a Premier League clash on January 4.