Pep Guardiola after Southampton loss: It was a bad night & the best team won

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted that his side were “not even close” to their usual selves as they crashed out of the English League Cup after losing 2-0 at Southampton on Wednesday.

City were well beaten and Guardiola said that “the best team won” after first-half goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo.

“The best team won. They were better, we had a bad night and didn’t play good. We didn’t react good and had a bad start and yeah, we didn’t perform well and to win games – I’m not talking titles – to win games, you have to deserve it. So I want to deserve, when I win something I want to deserve it and today that’s not the case. That’s why Southampton deserve to be in the semi-finals of this competition.”

“It was a bad night, so I know them quite well and today was not even close to what we are. So we can pass the three days, Chelsea (match) and today, so a big difference. So nothing to say. They were better. And when they are better, we have to congratulate them, accept it and improve.”

“Every game is different, different competition. Of course, if we perform in this way, we will not have a chance. I know the moment they have and for many years they were looking forward to staying in this position. So we know exactly what we have to do to play better and we’re going to try to do it.”

City next face Manchester neighbours United in the Premier League on Saturday.