Guardiola said his team deserved to drop points against Palace

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said his deserved to drop two points after conceding a late penalty against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The English Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Palace ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup campaign.

Goals from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis had put City 2-0 ahead before Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise scored two late goals to deny the Citizens a win.

After the draw, Guardiola said his team gave away two points.

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“It’s not bad luck, it’s deserved. We give away two points. When you give away this penalty, you deserve it. We are not able to close the games. That is the feeling.”

Guardiola’s Man City drop more points

City have conceded in the 80th minute or later to draw with Tottenham, Liverpool, and Chelsea recently, as well as losing to Arsenal.

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Guardiola said his team have not been able to close out games for many reasons this season.

“It’s like the penalty against Chelsea,” he said. “We don’t deserve it. We were excellent, like against Liverpool and Spurs, but we were not able to win the games so we are not consistent enough to close the games for many reasons,” he said after the Palace game

When asked if City were relaxed during the second half with a 2-0 lead, Guardiola denied.

“I don’t agree with you,” he said.

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“We played the same. At the end, maybe we needed more movement from other players in the final third. But in the first action they run and score a goal [Jean-Philippe Mateta’s] and in the last minute we give them [the penalty]. In the 18-yard box you have to be careful and we weren’t,” said Guardiola.

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