Pep Guardiola reached two unwanted milestones for the first time in his coaching career after Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Brighton.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
City concede 40 league goals for first time under coachCatalan also set for lowest points total in careerChampions League qualification in dangerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
City twice gave away the lead in Saturday's draw at the Etihad Stadium and Abdukodir Khusanov's own goal was the 40th time they have conceded in the league this season. It is the first time Guardiola has ever conceded 40 goals in a single season.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The draw also meant that Guardiola will achieve his lowest points total in his nine seasons in England and in his entire managerial career, even if City win all of their nine remaining matches. It also means he will fail to average at least two points per game for the first time in a coaching career which has seen him work in Spain, Germany and England. The result also dealt a blow to City's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League as Newcastle will knock them out of the top five if they win their game in hand. However, Guardiola is still hopeful that his side will get back into Europe's elite competition.
WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
"I am always confident. I have moments where I can have doubt but I find the way. We have nine games left in the league and nine finals," Guardiola said.
DID YOU KNOW?
City have qualified for the Champions League in 14 successive seasons, since the 2011-12 campaign. Arsenal hold the English record for 19 consecutive group stage appearances between 1998-99 and 2016-17, while Manchester United qualified for 18 successive campaigns between 1996-97 and 2013-14.