Pep Guardiola questions Man City’s discipline off the ball after seeing his side drop five points in seven days

Pep Guardiola has questioned Manchester City‘s discipline off the ball as a wretched week dragged them back into a dogfight for the Champions League places.

City have dropped five points in seven days and are only one point ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle having played a game more.

They have nine matches to seal a spot in next season’s competition, with Guardiola insisting they will be a different proposition, but fearful of the same old mistakes hampering progress.

The City boss said: ‘What happened [against Brighton in Saturday’s 2-2 draw] has happened all season. We have to be [more] stable.

‘People say how well Manchester City have played in recent years and one of the reasons is our work ethic, our discipline. This season is an exception in our period here together.

‘We don’t have the same players, we are not the same as the last years — but it will be different next year.’

City dropped points for the second game in a row on Saturday when they drew with Brighton

Guardiola’s side twice took the lead against the Seagulls but the game eventually ended 2-2

The 40 goals City have conceded in the league is more than in any other full Guardiola campaign, and defenders John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji are out until May.

Bernardo Silva gave City another injury scare against Brighton, managing only 18 minutes off the bench before the Portuguese had to come off with an unspecified issue.

‘The doctor told me that in two weeks maybe he can recover,’ Guardiola added.

‘Hopefully he’ll be back.’