Pep Guardiola has no doubt Manchester City will improve after they slumped to a surprise 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.

City started the new Premier League season with a superb 4-0 win at Wolves last Saturday. However, they were well beaten in their opening home game of the campaign as goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha, the latter following a huge error from goalkeeper James Trafford, gave Tottenham a deserved victory.

Guardiola has suffered 10 defeats at the hands of Tottenham. A tally only managed by Liverpool since he took over as City boss in 2016.

City’s performance could hardly have been in greater contrast to the imperious display they produced at Molineux, but Guardiola expressed optimism despite the defeat.

“The game against Spurs this season was a lot of build up and man marking like against Brentford in the past,” Guardiola said.

“You have to play in a different way. We spoke about that.

“We missed the simple things. I never asked them to play exceptional things. 

“The first was about effort to run and that was extraordinary like it has been for many years.

“I don’t have doubts. Last season, we didn’t achieve but in the training we were really good.

“In the pressure, we missed simple things and then we create enough chances but it’s happened, it’s football.

“It’s just the second game. Last game against Wolves, everyone said everything it’s fine and I said it’s just one game and a lot is going to happen.

“I know how we are working and what the players are doing. There are many good things but we have to improve.

“Step by step we will improve and make more connections.”