Pep Guardiola sends clear message to complaining Manchester City fans during frustrating first half of Brentford win

Pep Guardiola gestured to the frustrated Manchester City crowd to “calm down” during the first half of the 1-0 win against Brentford.

He first division the champions were limited to one goalless opening 45 minutes before finally defeating a stubborn Bees team on Tuesday night.

City controlled possession and created numerous chances, but failed to break the visitors' resistance until a slip by Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer allowed Erling Haaland to score in 71 minutes.

But first, having lost points in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea On Saturday, groans could be heard from the Etihad Stadium faithful as goalkeeper Ederson lingered on the ball.

It was not the first time that the home public had expressed their displeasure at the perceived lack of urgency from Guardiola's men.

Upon hearing of the complaints, the City manager addressed the crowd behind him and sent a clear message.

Commenting on talkSPORT, Sam Matterface said: “Guardiola turned to the crowd – I've seen him do this a couple of times here – and made a gesture as if to say: 'Just relax, leave it, we'll sort it out'.” there, calm down.'

Seconds later, Bernardo Silva squandered City's best chance of the first half, and England legend Stuart Pearce said it could have been immediate vindication for Guardiola.

Pearce said: “Pep was telling the crowd to be patient with Ederson. If that hit the back of the net, he would have said straight back: 'I told you so.'”

At half-time, talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham was keen to defend the City crowd, highlighting that dissenting voices were offset by supportive fans.

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Durham said: “There are frustrations among City fans.

“But to be fair to them, there were a lot of points in the first half where they supported their players.”