Pep Guardiola: Manchester City individuals are not to blame for poor form

Individual mistakes are not to blame for Premier League leaders Manchester City's dip in form, says Pep Guardiola.

City have not won in five games after they were held 1-1 by Southampton.

An awful backpass by centre-back John Stones led to the Saints goal scored by Nathan Redmond, which came in a week when keeper Claudio Bravo was at fault in the 4-0 loss in Barcelona.

The City boss said: "It is something more about the team and how you rebel, how you react."

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He added: "Today with John, and Wednesday with Claudio, that is not the reason. Against Everton we miss two penalties and we play amazing and didn't win.

"When you see the second half [against Southampton] it is because these guys are good and I have to help them to achieve and to reach [that level] - as when it was 11 against 11 in Barcelona and in the second half against Everton.

"I was a football player and I know this can happen. You are able to win 10 times in a row and after you are not able to win five times.

"You have to accept that. I have to discover the reason why."

City are at Manchester United on Wednesday for their EFL Cup tie, and at West Brom next Saturday.

Why were you late coming out of the dressing room?

Match of the Day commentator Steve Bower and his colleagues were waiting for Guardiola to emerge

Managers usually give their post-match interviews to the media within moments of each other.

But on Sunday, Guardiola kept his players in the dressing room for nearly an hour after the game.

Asked to explain, the Spaniard joked: "The red wine was good and I took a little bit longer.

He added: "We were together - we speak but nothing special. We speak about what is the situation."

Reaction to the draw

Former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville speaking on the BBC Match of the Day Facebook page:

"City have lost confidence. They are not a side playing with the rhythm, fluidity and confidence that they were playing with at the start of season. Tottenham pressed high [in their 2-0 win over City] and Everton dropped off deep [in the 1-1 draw]. Southampton did a bit of both today. There was bit of a hangover after the 4-0 defeat in Barcelona last week. It'll be tight for the Premier League title this season."

On Southampton: "You have got to give Southampton credit. At the start of the season everyone thought they were in turmoil, but the run they are on at the moment and the style they are playing - they've been impressive.

"Manager Claude Puel deserves all the credit. I thought he'd be one of the managers to struggle because he doesn't have knowledge of the Premier League. Southampton are a difficult team to play against."

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero has not scored for a month

Southampton striker Charlie Austin congratulated his team-mates

Nathan Redmond capitalised on a mistake by John Stones in the first half

Key stats of the match

City had lots more possession - but only managed three shots on target

The last time City won was the last time Sergio Aguero scored - against Swansea on 24 September he scored twice in the 3-1 win. You can see on the right-hand touchmap he was much busier in the area then than he was against Southampton (left) on Sunday.

What you thought of the match

• Go to the match report to post your comments

Colski: Stones is the most overrated defender in England. Barcelona showed him up for what he is and today he carried on with his usual lack of skill, slowness and poor game management choices.

Cititilidie: Players just look shot of confidence. I think one win and we'll start firing again. In the meantime, I'm sure Pep's happy to sit top even if it's only on goal difference. Oh and enjoy watching Mourinho lose 4-0 to his former team - I mean how embarrassing.

The Hand of Cod: Last season City went on a run at the start and every pundit said they were looking unbeatable. Pundits need to put away the crystal ball and comment instead on current form. Southampton and Everton look like they will have very solid seasons, Liverpool, Arsenal and City are playing good football and Chelsea are bullying the mid-table teams...

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