Guardiola previously lost three consecutive games with Bayern Munich before losing a fourth in a shootout in the 2014/2015 season.

His worst performance as City boss was three consecutive defeats.

Asked about the current run, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “Two in the Premier League. You have to count the wins and defeats and we will win a lot.”

“If you have to count how many wins in a row, we are still far from that position.”

It’s “not nice” to lose two league games in a row, but City are “not far off” from the top of the table and in second place going into the international break, he said.

On Saturday, City took a first-half lead at Brighton through Erling Haaland’s twelfth Premier League goal of the season.

The Blues dominated much of the first half, with 67% possession and five shots on target to Brighton’s clean sheet.

But that changed after the break to just one on target, to Brighton’s four. City looked lethargic for large periods of the second half as Brighton substitutes Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley scored to seal the win.

It was the first time since 2021 that City had lost a Premier League match after leading at half-time.

“We can’t play 90 minutes at the moment,” Guardiola said.

“We played a very good first half, but couldn’t keep the rhythm in the second half.

“We lost again so we will clear our heads during the international break and hopefully our players come back fit.”

At his press conference, Guardiola added: “If the players come back, I have no doubt that we will be back to our best.”

City’s series is tough after the break, with games against Tottenham, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Aston Villa before Christmas.