Pundit Neil Lennon anticipates Pep Guardiola’s frustration with Manchester City’s performance during their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. Lennon, who covered the game on BBC Radio 5 Live, highlighted Guardiola’s likely dissatisfaction, particularly if his team continues to concede goals at the Etihad Stadium.
During the match, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored for Palace, equalizing after Phil Foden’s earlier assist for Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis’s goal had put City in a 2-0 lead.
Expressing disappointment over City’s inability to keep a clean sheet, Lennon observed that Guardiola might feel aggravated by the team’s defensive lapses. The pundit suggested that Mateta’s goal could have been prevented, and Guardiola is likely to be frustrated with such occurrences.
Manchester City’s defensive record this season at the Etihad Stadium has been subpar, conceding eight goals in their last four home games. Lennon attributed part of this vulnerability to the absence of John Stones, emphasizing the defender’s significant impact on the team’s defensive stability when he plays.
The absence of Stones, combined with challenges integrating Josko Gvardiol on the left, has unsettled City’s defensive balance. Guardiola faces the task of reorganizing the team’s setup without Stones to fortify their defense.
