Man City manager Pep Guardiola appears to blame trip to London as reason for loss to Tottenham as he compares it to trip to northern Europe

Pep Guardiola has claimed Manchester City’s ‘exhausting’ trip to north London was the reason for their loss to Tottenham on Sunday.

The 52-year-old called his side’s trip a trip to Europe, following City’s 1-0 loss to Spurs.

Harry Kane’s 15th-minute effort was the difference between the sides, in what was a historic 267th goal that propelled him past Spurs legend Jimmy Greaves.

It is also his 200th Premier League goal on his 304th appearance in the competition, quicker than the only two men to score more goals in the competition, Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.

The result has shaken Man City’s hopes in the title race, and Guardiola is already eyeing Aston Villa next Sunday.

“Coming to London is like going to northern Europe,” said the Catalan boss, whose side hadn’t played for nine days before making their 200-mile journey.

“It takes four and a half hours to get to a hotel. It’s so exhausting coming to London, I’m sorry.

“We have to come back to Manchester and prepare for the game against Aston Villa.”

A win for City would have moved them within two points of league leaders Arsenal.

However, their dreadful run at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continues where they still haven’t scored and have lost all five games.

Guardiola said: “There was an opportunity. Now we are sad, tomorrow we will reflect and watch the game. It will be a long, long season for everyone.

The City boss previously dubbed Tottenham ‘the Harry Kane team’ in 2017 but heaped praise on the striker after the game.

“I’m not going to tell Team Harry otherwise (former Spurs boss Mauricio) Pochettino will be grumpy and mad at me and I don’t want that!

“Sooner or later (City’s home ground record for Spurs) is going to change, but it’s strange that we haven’t scored a single goal. We’ve missed penalties.