‘Lowest game in seven years’ - Pep Guardiola gives shock assessment ahead of Man City vs Chelsea

Pep Guardiola has claimed the Carabao Cup defeat to Southampton in January was his ‘lowest game in seven years’ at Manchester City.

The Blues were comprehensively beaten by the side who are almost certain to finish bottom of the Premier League table, when they met at St Mary’s at the start of the year. First-half goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo ensured the Saints beat City 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the tournament, during a period of the campaign when real questions were being asked about Guardiola’s side.

City failed to impress in the weeks following the season’s resumption after the World Cup, with the champions drawing at home to Everton, struggling away to Chelsea and then losing at Manchester United. A few weeks later, Guardiola claimed he ‘didn’t recognise’ his side during his memorable 11-minute ‘happy flowers’ rant.

However, things feel very different now for City, who are just three wins away from claiming the treble, and put in an outstanding display on Wednesday as they beat Real Madrid 4-0. A win over Chelsea on Sunday will wrap up the league title, and ahead of the game, Guardiola was asked what’s changed in the last four months.

"When you are in one season, you can’t play a season the level we play today. It’s impossible,” opined the ex-Barcelona manager. “In the Premier League, in the end, it’s a case of don’t be far away from the top of the league; don’t give up ever, and wait.

“Arrive in knockout stages n Europe at the end in a good moment. Didn’t change much. I think the way we play in Southampton in the Carabao Cup was the lowest game we have played in seven years - but that sometimes happens. Have to avoid for the opponent, but it’s normal.

“At the end, try to be as stable as possible. I think we did it again, otherwise cannot be 85 points now with nine points still to play. To be close to 90 points again, without that you are not consistent. We have done really well.”