





City's winless run stretched to five games - the joint longest of Guardiola's managerial career - after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton at the Etihad.

Four days after Claudio Bravo's needless sending off in the 4-0 Champions League loss to Barcelona, John Stones presented Nathan Redmond with the opening goal.

City did not have a shot on target in the first half - although Stones saw an effort chalked off for a debatable offside - but the hosts dominated the second period and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho netted the equaliser.

Guardiola, who won his first 10 matches in charge, kept his players in the dressing room for nearly an hour after the match but denied he was angry.

The Catalan said with a smile: "The red wine was good and I took a little bit longer



We were together, we speak but nothing special



We speak about what is the situation





"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."

Guardiola insisted ahead of the game he would not change his ball-playing philosophy, but passing out from the back again proved costly, with Stones failing to look as he attempted a pass to Vincent Kompany and instead leaving Redmond one on one.

The City boss said of his side's mistakes: "It's hard for us, yes



The opponents at the end, they don't do too much, long balls and sometimes counter-attacks.

"But today I think it is not part of the reason



The difference between the first half and the second half was obvious and that is what we have to realise.

"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.

"It is something more and about the team and how you rebel, how you react



When you see the second half it is because these guys are good and I have to help them to achieve and to reach (the performance) in the second half, when it is 11 against 11 in Barcelona and in the second half against Everton.

"I know when you start (at a new club) it is always difficult



We start quite well



Now in that moment we are not in that rhythm we had before



We didn't have 90 bad, bad minutes



But when we are not perfect, we concede a lot."

Guardiola also suffered a blow with Kevin De Bruyne picking up a knock in the first half that meant he had to be substituted.

Southampton were under an immense amount of pressure at the end, but stood firm to hold on to a valuable point and leave manager Claude Puel satisfied after their frustrating loss to Inter Milan in midweek





He said: "I'm happy of course for the point and also with the spirit



It was a significant game against a good team





"I think it is difficult with this team because they are good at pressing and it was difficult to play our game today



The second half we kept a good defensive organisation to keep this result





"They finished the last game against Inter Milan with a big disappointment



It was important to preserve (the result) today."

Source : PA

Source: PA