UPDATE: Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City must quickly learn from their shocking close call against Fulham, which concluded with a dramatic 5-4 victory on July 15, 2025. The encounter at Craven Cottage saw City race to a commanding 5-1 lead before nearly succumbing to a late Fulham resurgence.
After their recent struggles, including a narrow 3-2 win over Leeds, Guardiola emphasized the need for resilience as City prepares to face Sunderland this Saturday. “It’s forgotten. Good learnings, hopefully, but it’s forgotten,” he stated, urging his team to focus on upcoming challenges.
City’s defensive vulnerabilities were alarming, with Guardiola noting the high number of shots they allowed: “How many shots on target had Leeds? Three? Scored two. It’s not bad. How many shots on target Fulham? Five, six?” He expressed concern over these statistics, stating, “We have to improve.”
The pressure mounts as City now hosts Sunderland, a team currently sixth in the Premier League and just five points behind them. Sunderland recently demonstrated their capabilities with a commendable 1-1 draw against champions Liverpool. Guardiola acknowledged their impressive form, “In my humble opinion, they deserve to be where they are,” highlighting the challenge ahead.
Manchester City will be missing key midfielder Rodri, sidelined due to a hamstring injury, having participated in only one minute of football over the last eleven games. His absence raises questions for the team as they prepare for an upcoming Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
Guardiola also addressed concerns surrounding left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has struggled to find his footing since his transfer from Wolves. “Rayan played in the Club World Cup really good… After that he was injured,” he explained, assuring fans that Ait-Nouri’s performance would improve with time.
As City looks to regain their form, the stakes are higher than ever. Fans and analysts alike are keenly watching to see if Guardiola’s squad can stabilize their performance and assert their dominance in the Premier League. Will they rise to the occasion against Sunderland, or will the defensive lapses continue to haunt them?
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
