Pep Guardiola reveals possible reason behind Manchester City’s second-half collapses | OneFootball

Manchester City are seeing a consistent trend throughout the ongoing campaign in putting in strong first-half performances before capitulating in the second period.

City have thrown away leads for fun since January to lose further ground on leaders Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title, most recently letting a two goal slip in the second-half of a 2-2 draw with Tottenham at the weekend.

The Blues return to action against Newcastle United on Wednesday night as they look to seal their place in the Carabao Cup final after taking a two goal lead against Eddie Howe’s side in the opening leg at St. James’ Park a few weeks ago.

Guardiola’s men subsequently face a must-win league clash away at Liverpool, with Arsenal in danger of pulling out of sight should Manchester City fail to beat Arne Slot and co on their own patch on Sunday evening.

City have won one of their last six Premier League games, having started 2026 with three straight draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton – results that have preceded more points lost against Manchester United and Tottenham to raise huge doubt on their silverware prospects come the end of the term.

Speaking to reporters prior to Manchester City’s clash with Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg on Wednesday night, Guardiola was quizzed for his thoughts on second-half showings from his side.

“It’s the reality that in the second-half we drop what we got in the first, maybe because it’s a young team, a younger side than in 10 years, and maybe we need to live it,” Guardiola said off the back of throwing away a two goal lead at Tottenham on Sunday.

“Maybe we stop trying to do what we’ve done in first halves. We have to grow.”

Guardiola has been dealing with crucial absentees in defence in the last month, with Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol failing to play since the pair were hauled off with injury in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on January 4.

Dias has returned to training this week and is understood to be targeting a return against Liverpool at Anfield, with little expectation of the 28-year-old featuring at home against Newcastle United in midweek.

Gvardiol is expected to remain sidelined till April or May after undergoing surgery on a right tibial fracture, with Guardiola increasingly relying on Abdukodir Khusanov, academy graduate Max Alleyne and January signing Guehi in central defence.

City need to gain some momentum if they are to overturn their recent fortunes in the Premier League as the season progresses, with Arsenal in pole position to build on a seven point lead at the top of the table and win a first league title in 22 years.