Pep Guardiola in heated exchange with Brighton star as Manchester City manager reveals what he said to defender

Pep Guardiola could not hide his anger with Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke after Manchester City's 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium.

The Citizens took a 1-0 lead on the south coast thanks to Erling HaalandThe record goal which was his 75th goal in the top flight.

But the Seagulls defended themselves to claim the three points thanks to late goals from Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley.

Defeat means City has lost four consecutive competitive games for the first time since August 2006.

Although it is the first time in GuardiolaIn his 17-year career as a coach he has lost the same number of games in a row.

And after the final whistle, he vented his frustrations about Van Hecke, and cameras captured the heated exchange.

Guardiola took offense to the Dutchman bringing down Haaland in stoppage time after he fell to the ground after protecting the ball for goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to claim.

This led to Haaland being booked for his lively reaction towards the 24-year-old.

Guardiola was then seen approaching Van Hecke on the pitch after the match, where he whispered something in his ear.

The duo then continued their apparent argument, with Guardiola getting right in the player's face.

They ended their conversation by shaking hands, and Guardiola then revealed what he had told Van Hecke.

Commenting on the incident, the Spaniard said: “He was strong with Erling (Haaland).

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“I told him, 'When Erling confronts you, stay on your feet, don't go on the grass.'

“But he played a really good game.”

Speaking about City's worrying form, the former Barcelona boss commented: “Two in the Premier League.

“You have to count the victories and the losses, and we will win a lot. If you have to count how many victories in a row, we are very far from that position.

“It's not nice to lose two in a row. Performance at certain times is good, but not in all the minutes we need.

“We have to change to win again. We are not far away, seconds before the international break.”