Shaken Pep Guardiola admits title race could be over NEXT WEEK as ‘fragile’ Man City suffer fifth defeat in a row

SHOCKED Pep Guardiola admitted 'fragile' Manchester City are in crisis after a FIFTH successive defeat.

The four-in-a-row champions' title defense is in tatters after Guardiola's worst home loss as City boss, days after he signed a new two-year contract.

Guardiola said: “Of course not everything is fine. In eight years we have never experienced such a situation. Right now we are vulnerable.

“There are no fairy tales in life and sports. Sometimes you have to go through these situations.

“You have to accept it. You can't blame each other, you have to stick together.

“It would be a mistake to change. Run away? Absolutely not, we need to stand up more than ever. What will define us is that when we fail, we stand up and face it.”

Guardiola, who suffered a FIFTH consecutive defeat for the first time in his managerial career, added: “We are worried if we don't win. It's normal.

“There would be a problem if my players weren't worried, or if I wasn't worried.

“I don't know what will happen this season, but I won't believe in the players for a second.

“There is no team in the world that can sustain success for eight, nine, ten years in a row.

“We will analyze it, go to the next match and see what happens.”

A double from birthday boy James Maddison, plus goals from Pedro Porro and Brennan Johnson, sealed Spurs' Etihad defeat.

The defeat leaves City five points behind Prem leader Liverpool, who play against bottom Southampton today.

It was the first time since Chelsea in 1956 that the top champions had lost FIVE games in a row.

Spurs' stunning victory also ended City's 35-match unbeaten home run.

Defeat against Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday could see them fall 11 points behind. Asked if that gap would be too big to bridge, Guardiola said: “Yes, because Liverpool keeps winning.”

Delighted Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said: “I am proud of the boys. Coming to City is a terrifying prospect. It challenges every part of you.

“We had to be disciplined, work hard and play decent football, and we did that.”

And he was full of praise for Maddison with two goals.

Postecoglou said: “He was excellent. Madders was great.”

Maddison, 28, added: “That's a birthday I look back on fondly.

“To come here to the champions and perform like this and get the result. You should cherish these, they don't happen often.

“We were brilliant. It was everything we wanted to show from a top Spurs team.

“We were clinical, we pressed sometimes. We weathered the storm, were determined and scored four fantastic goals.”