Adama Traore brace stuns Manchester City at Etihad as Guardiola admits “it was a bad day”, makes vow

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits was a bad day at the office after his team suffered a painful home defeat at the hand of Wolves, but vows that his side will bounce back quickly.

The off-colour Blues went down to two late Adama Traore counter-attack goals as Wolves became the first Premier League side to win at the Etihad in 10 months.

Wolves had three great first-half chances through Patrick Cutrone and Raul Jimenez twice, while Rui Patricio denied Raheem Sterling at the other end.

City dominated possession in the second half, but struggled for clear-cut opportunities.

A David Silva free-kick hit the crossbar, while Bernardo Silva had a shot blocked by Conor Coady.

Wolves took the lead in the 80th minute, Jimenez breaking to play in Traore, who beat Ederson.

Traore’s second in stoppage time was almost a carbon-copy. Again Jimenez broke and played in the winger, who slotted past Ederson’s left hand.

But Guardiola says his team have recovered difficult situations before and can do it again.

“Of course, it was a bad day,” said Pep. “That sometimes happens. We started quite well and then we conceded two situations with two loose balls in our build up.

“We got a little bit nervous. In the second half we controlled the game better. At the end we were attacking, and they had Cutrone and Jimenez and they were clinical.

“When you talk about the game and the way we played it was not good. It was not a good day.”

The City boss also admitted his team have plenty of hard work ahead, with title rivals Liverpool eight points ahead just eight games in.

“It’s a lot of points,” he said. “They’ve not dropped points. Today is the game we created less. We face many teams defending in deep systems. More or less we have found a way to do it, but today we had a problem.

“There’s a lot of games to go. We lost to a good team. They’re physical and strong in the air and fast on the counter-attack and that’s why.

“We have to improve. Maybe we weren’t solid in our build up. When we are, we concede few chances.”

Asked if City still have what it takes to challenge for the title, the boss said: “I know these guys, they can still do it. It was a bad day, a bad game.

“Credit to the opponent. What’s happened has happened. Most teams that have won in the past don’t win the year after. Of course, we want to be close.

“Today was the day we were not on our level. The previous games were good. The distance is big, Liverpool have not dropped points.

“Now is the time to come back. The results will dictate the situation, but we are in October and there’s a long way to go.”

Photo Credit: premierleague.com