SHOT IN THE ARMOUSH

Egyptian answers Pep's prayers as Blues find form ahead of Mad test

- Jeremy Cross

PEP GUARDIOLA has looked a broken man at times this season.

A bloke so used to winning, he doesn't know how to behave when losing gatecrashes his life.

He's resorted to self-harming in sheer frustration, and being forced to apologise for appearing to make light of doing so.

He ranted about needing 40-man squads to cope with injuries.

He taunted Liverpool about them not being able to match Manchester City's total of 100 points in a season.

He admitted he wasn't good enough to solve his team's problems.

While the odd cool box has taken a good kicking at various stages, from a manager appearing to live right on the edge. And within minutes of this game kicking off against Newcastle, the Spaniard was doing his best Basil Fawlty impression, ranting and raving at his defence following some careless play out from the back.

If he hadn't been so successful, it would be tempting to feel sorry for him.