Pep Guardiola has denied suggestions that he was berating Stefan Ortega and Josko Gvardiol after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Brentford on Tuesday night.
City appeared to be on course for their third straight win in the Premier League for the first time since October following two second-half goals from Phil Foden.
However, a late collapse from the Premier League champions saw Yoane Wissa score to give Brentford a lifeline before Christian Norgaard scored the equaliser in the second minute of injury time.
After the game, Guardiola was an animated figure on the pitch as he gestured wildly when speaking to Ortega, Gvardiol and Savinho.
But the City manager is adamant that he was praising his players for their performance.
When asked what he told Gvardiol at full time, Guardiola replied: ‘How good he played, he played an incredible game.
‘I was satisfied, we’re talking one action. The same with Ortega, I said how good he played in the actions with the ball, had good passes to Erling, how happy and satisfied I am, especially with these two players with what they have done.’
Guardiola also responded to Foden’s claim that City looked ‘leggy’ in the closing stages of the game.
When asked about Foden’s analysis, Guardiola replied with a smile: ‘Yeah, that’s why I replaced him.’
The result leaves City sixth in the Premier League and two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
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