Pep Guardiola played down worries over Aymeric Laporte’s absence after Norwich took complete benefit of defensive frailties to beat Manchester City 3-2 in Carrow Road.??
With no injured Laporte, who’s out before the new year after knee operation, the City back-line weren’t up to scratch as the Canaries conducted out jolt winners, live on Saturday Night Football.
Until Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time Aims from Kenny McLean and Todd Cantwell had the side deservedly.
But, with Kevin De Bruyne surprisingly just called a replacement, the much-anticipated comeback never materialised since Teemu Pukki added a third following awful protecting from Nicolas Otamendi.
A late attack from Rodri was little consolation for the people, who suffered their first defeat of the year to give a five-point lead at the summit to Liverpool.
Guardiola dismissed suggestions his side have a weakness, although john Stones and Otamendi began three times in the Premier League last year.
The Catalan told Sky Sports:”It is a partnership which has played a lot. We’ve got Rodri and Fernandinho who can play there in different scenarios and it is not a worry. Things happen.
“We didn’t anticipate the injury and in over three decades together John and Nicolas have played and thanks to those we have won.
“Laporte is injured and Kompany is now in Anderlecht, so we cannot just analyse it off one game. We need to improve on that and hopefully we could do better.”
Having hauled back the deficit, Stones and Otamendi lived one mix-up since Pukki hurried onto a ball to skew his shot wide – however seconds made amends.
Stones rolled the ball as the Argentinian dallied to the edge of the box and also Otamendi, Emiliano Buendia nipped in to steal possession and lay about Pukki’s sixth goal of the effort.
Guardiola slumped to his knees after the setback, but bullishly included:”I know what we have been as a team, I understand what we’ve achieved and I know what we will do .
“I love my players, it’s a joy and an honour to be with them, but it is a challenge at the highest degree. We cannot anticipate to win every time and also to reach over 90 points.
“We’re going to have to recuperate, we visit Europe now, then we’ll come back.
“We knew the caliber of Norwich and we’ve had a lot of days to work with it. Conceding goals is a part of football, and in the long run we pushed a lot, but I have to congratulate Norwich.”
Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports:”The Laporte lack is the story right now, make no mistake about it. I believed that in the summer, they needed to recruit after losing Vincent Kompany.
“Matthijs De Ligt went to Juventus and that he had the profile of everything City like to purchase, Harry Maguire moved to Man Utd and it was unusual for them since their recruiting is usually spot on.
“You can’t foresee an injury such as Laporte’s when he is out for six weeks, however you need to be prepared for every eventuality. At this time, it’s looking as though it could cost them.”

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