By Jack Gaughan for MailOnline
Published: 15:30 GMT, 20 January 2019 | Updated: 16:55 GMT, 20 January 2019
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Leroy Sane revealed Manchester City were awoken by an animated Pep Guardiola at just gone twenty past two on Sunday.
Exacting high standards is Guardiola’s modus operandi and, in the sanctity of City’s dressing room, he told them the opening 45 minutes fell way short of what he demands – even though they went in a goal up.
Statistically it had not been their worst first half of the season, although ultimately a close-run thing. That 17 per cent of the champions’ touches resulted in losing possession was particularly galling.
Manchester City were lethargic during the first half of their win against Huddersfield
City's disappointing first 45 minutes left manager Pep Guardiola with much to ponder
‘He woke us up a bit to play our game quicker and better and help us find where the space is,’ Sane said.
‘The boss said that we can’t play the way we were playing and that we had to get better. He is always kind of relaxed most of the time and always tries to help us get solutions and he did it again.’
City were simply not themselves. They meandered, failing to keep the ball under their spell with alarming regularity.
