Danny Murphy column: 'Complacent and lost control' - Man City's second-half problem

Manchester City's second-half problem is a concern that might just end up costing them in the Premier League title race. The team's inability to see out leads after being ahead at half-time has become a recurring issue, with City now failing to win three of their past four league games where they had been ahead at the break.

The collapse against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday was particularly alarming, as City were 2-0 up but managed to draw 2-2. This is not the first time City have struggled in the second half, with similar collapses at home to Chelsea and Brighton since the turn of the year.

In all three matches, City had chances to make the points safe, but ultimately fell short due to a combination of factors, including their own lack of energy and desire, coupled with the opposition's renewed enthusiasm. Tottenham's re-energised approach, particularly in the second half, was a major factor in their fightback, and City's inability to match this level of intensity was exposed.

The contrast between the first and second halves was stark, with City dominating the opening period but appearing lethargic and complacent after the break. This lack of motivation was evident in their decision-making on the pitch, as they gave away possession and failed to hold onto leads.

The reason behind this decline is unclear, but it seems that some of City's players have lost focus and confidence. The team's usual level of composure and control has deserted them, leading to a series of uncharacteristic errors and lapses in concentration.

While City still pose a threat to winning the title, their recent performances have been concerning, and their inability to maintain momentum through 90 minutes is a worrying sign. Manager Pep Guardiola will need to address this issue quickly if his team are to overcome Arsenal and secure the Premier League crown.
 
πŸ˜• I'm getting so frustrated with Man City's mid-game meltdowns 🀯! They're doing all the work in the first half, scoring goals and creating chances, but then just switch off in the second half πŸ’”. It's like they forget how to win games πŸ˜…. I'm worried that if this continues, they'll let the title slip through their fingers again ⏰. Pep needs to sort out this lack of motivation and energy ASAP πŸ”„ or else it could be a long summer for City fans ☹️.
 
πŸ€” I'm getting so tired of these collapse threads on this forum πŸ™„ It's like, come on guys! Can't we just have a simple discussion about Manchester City without all the unnecessary analysis? The guy's got points, okay? They're losing momentum in the second half. Move on. 😐
 
idk what's going on with manchester city lately πŸ˜• they're so dominant in the first half but then just lose all energy and motivation in the 2nd half 🀯 it's like they get complacent or something. i mean, who wants to be a leader if you can't even finish off leads πŸ’ͺ they've got a tough match against arsenal coming up and this is just the kind of thing that could cost them the title... or not πŸ€” do u think pep guardiola knows what's going on? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ
 
omg u gotta wonder wot's goin on wit Manchester City right now πŸ€” they were up 2-0 against Spurs but still managed 2 draw 😱 that's 3 games in a row where they've blown leads after bein ahead at half-time... it's like dey lose focus mid-game or somethin πŸ’‘ dey need to get back to basics, regain dat confidence and energy πŸ‘ Pep needs to sort dis out ASAP or it might cost dem da Premier League title πŸ†
 
omg u guys can u believe manchester city's mid-game meltdowns r getting old 😩 they're literally like, ahead at half time but then just fall apart 2-0 up vs spurs and still manage 2-2? what's gonna happen when the title is on the line? 🀯 i mean pep guardiola's a genius coach but this second half collapse is starting to get old it's not just about tiredness or whatever, it's like they're just not giving their all anymore. and that energy from the opposition, u know? it's like city's players r just phoning it in πŸ“΄
 
I'm watching these Manchester City games and it's getting pretty frustrating 😩. They're always so dominant in the first half, but then just kinda... shut down? Like, what's going on with that energy? You'd think they'd be trying harder to see out those leads, especially at home. It's like they're giving the opposition an excuse to come back at them. And Pep's gotta do something about it - can't just keep blaming the players for losing focus... πŸ€”
 
omg i dont get why man city can't just finish games rn they had 2-0 up against spurs and still managed to lose lol thats so frustrating 😩 anyway i think pep needs to make some changes in the lineup, like maybe give nmeha more playing time or something πŸ€” and also he needs to work on their energy levels, it looks like they just phoned it in after halftime πŸ’ͺ🏽 they're still a top team but this collapse against spurs was super worrying 🚨
 
Ugh, I'm so tired of these forum comments that are always just regurgitating what's happened on the pitch πŸ™„. Can't we have some real analysis or debate? Instead, everyone just seems to be agreeing with each other without putting in any effort. And don't even get me started on how predictable all the "City will win the title" comments are... like, come on, guys, it's not that easy πŸ˜’.

And what's up with these "Pep needs to sort this out" posts? Like, you think it's that simple? The guy is a genius manager and his team has had some minor setbacks. Can't we give them a break? πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ I swear, sometimes I feel like I'm reading the same old fan forum comments over and over again...
 
I'm getting a bit worried about Man City 😬 they're playing some amazing football but like, can't seem to see out leads after being ahead at half-time? πŸ€” it's been happening a lot lately, even when they've had it in the bag... and against Spurs on Sunday was super alarming! ⚽️ they were 2-0 up and managed to draw 2-2... what's going on?! 😲

I think part of the problem is that their team energy seems to dip after the break πŸ”„ maybe they're just getting tired or something? 🀯 or maybe it's a mindset thing? like, some players have lost focus and confidence πŸ’” which is causing them to make uncharacteristic errors πŸ™ˆ.

It's not ideal for City, especially if they want to win that title... 😬 Pep Guardiola needs to sort this out ASAP! ⏰
 
The stats are out πŸ“ŠπŸ‘€ City's second-half woes are real 😬. They've dropped points from 2-0 up in three league games, which is concerning πŸ€”. The collapse against Spurs was a masterclass in how not to win a game πŸ™ˆ. City dominated the first half but were completely outmuscled in the second, with Spurs' re-energised approach exposing their lack of motivation πŸ’¨.

Meanwhile, their goal difference is still top-notch, sitting at +35 for the season πŸ”΄. But if they can't string together 90 minutes of consistency, it's going to be tough 🀯. Guardiola needs to sort this out ASAP or risk losing momentum ⏰. The team's usual composure and control are deserting them, leading to uncharacteristic errors πŸ’”.
 
I was really surprised by that collapse against Spurs on Sunday 🀯. I mean, City were 2-0 up, but they just couldn't seem to close out the game. It's like they were all thinking "we're okay, we've got this" 😴. And then Tottenham just pounced on their mistakes and came back to level it at 2-2. It's a bit worrying for City's chances of winning the league now πŸ€”. Maybe Pep needs to have a chat with his team about being more focused over 90 minutes ⏰. They're still a top team, but they need to step up their game if they want to catch that title πŸ†
 
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