Pep Guardiola reaction to Man City supporters vs Brighton hints at Man City title race worries

There was more than a sense of anxiety around the Etihad on Wednesday as Manchester City were frustrated by Brighton for 53 minutes on Wednesday.

City had all of the possession, but could find no way through the Seagulls' backline - and when they did, Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan wasted good opportunities. The Etihad crowd weren't getting retless, but they weren't sitting comfortably either. Their response to City's possession was to raise their voices in support, even if you could equally hear exasperated groans whenever a chance was lost.

The roar when Mahrez scored, then, on 53 minutes, was louder than most at the Etihad all season. And when Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva sealed the three points, fans showed their appreciation for a hard-fought win. 'Championes' even got an airing at one point.

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Asked about the role of the fans in the win, Pep Guardiola gave a telling answer after the game.

"I would say the fans were close to us, sometimes more quiet than today," he said, moving his thoughts onto City's defensive qualities and their recent fixture schedule.

"Today I have a feeling they saw the hunger we had without the ball. The defence, like an NBA final, the defence will help us to fight for the title. The way we defend is good but we were so dynamic and so aggressive, the wat we defend without the ball, we could not do it for many reasons.

"I said before the mentally fatigue and tired int he last games. If you want to make this step you have to come back in these times. The defence is going to help us and today they were amazing. That's why the people in the stands see when the team is alive and press. The transitions