Manchester City did what they needed to do against Luton to end their winless streak and get their season back on track after a’shake’ that Pep Guardiola thought was “necessary.”

At halftime of Manchester City’s victory over Luton Town, Pep Guardiola conveyed his point to fourth official Craig Pawson.

Guardiola stated before the game that he didn’t know how he would turn City’s form around, if at all, considering that it was uncharted ground. He has never led City to a sixth Premier League game without a win. Their plans were thwarted again at Kenilworth Road when Erling Haaland was hurt and no timetable for his return was given.

When Luton took the lead on the stroke of half-time, it appeared that another difficult afternoon lay ahead, but Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish turned things around to earn a much-needed three points. Guardiola was relieved after the game and did not minimize the significance of the victory.

City continued play after Elijah Adebayo’s header in the second minute of two added on in the first half, and referee Tim Robinson swiftly blew for half time. Guardiola was in earnest discussion with fourth official Craig Pawson as the benches traveled across the Kenilworth Road pitch to the changing rooms, pressing his case over something.

There had been a handful of contentious foul throws, and Robinson had irritated both teams with his decision-making in the first 45 minutes. Guardiola, on the other hand, was angered by the officials’ timekeeping, explaining after the game that City should have been given another minute to reply to the goal following the delay for Luton’s celebrations.

Guardiola’s exuberant reaction to City’s second goal – indicating that Luton’s handball shouts were incorrect because the ball struck Julian Alvarez’s chin – only increased his involvement, and the manager was equally irritated with Ruben Dias for conceding a free kick in second-half injury time that invited late pressure for the hosts – only added to his involvement.

Guardiola appeared to berate Dias on the pitch after the win, presumably for the late free kick, while making an impassioned joke with Grealish, although there appeared to be a serious point he was making to his match-winner.

Guardiola was more composed at halftime. He emphasized that City was not down on itself. He instructed his forwards to be more aggressive in attack, telling Jack Grealish to shoot with his first touch rather than slow it down, and telling Bernardo Silva that he ‘had to score’ when given the chance. Both took the suggestion and scored the game-winning goals.

If Guardiola can retain his cool when it appears that everything is going against City after Luton’s goal, the Blues will be in a strong position to build on their triumph and continue their comeback from their winless run. Guardiola stated that it was his responsibility to turn the team’s fortunes around, and his half-time team talk against Luton showed he had the appropriate words for the situation. Only 48 hours before, he had doubted his ability to do so.

Picking up on something as little as extra time for Luton’s goal shows that he is attentive of everything going on around him, not just his in-game tactics. Even after the game, he was back to demanding the best from his players.

After a week of doom and gloom, City have put their alleged crisis on hold, and Guardiola’s behavior at Luton suggests they’re ready to resume their campaign.