End of an era? Man City loses fourth straight game and Guardiola faces some tough questions

Manchester City has never had it this bad under Pep Guardiola.

Guardiola has never had it this bad in his managerial career.

A sense of crisis is looming over the champions of England after they lost a fourth straight game in all competitions, 2-1 at Brighton, and slipped five points behind Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday. Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 thanks to goals by Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.

Second-placed City hasn't lost four games in a row since 2006 — two years before the Abu Dhabi takeover of the club and 10 years before Guardiola's game-changing arrival on the blue side of Manchester.

As for Guardiola, widely regarded as the world's best coach, he has never lost four straight matches anywhere in his illustrious time in management that began in 2007.

The closest he has come was in the 2014-15 season when, at Bayern Munich, his team lost in a penalty shootout in the German Cup followed by three straight defeats — two in the Bundesliga, when Bayern had already clinched the title, and once in the Champions League.

So, Guardiola was asked, is this the end of the era, after leading City to an unprecedented four straight top-flight league titles?

“It's what the people want, right?” he posed. "That's normal — we won a lot. I would just like to have all the squad (available).”

That won't be happening anytime soon considering star center midfielder Rodri, this year's Ballon d'Or winner, is out for the season with an ACL injury. Guardiola also had his best four center backs — Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake — unavailable, while playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is clearly not sharp or fit enough on his return from injury.

“When we play bad, I am the first to say, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t like it.’ But I don’t have that feeling,” Guardiola said.

Indeed, City was dominant in the first half and went in front when Erling Haaland scored his league-leading 12th goal of the campaign.

However, like in the 4-1 loss at Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday, City couldn't sustain its level in the second half and Brighton fought back, with Joao Pedro equalizing in the 78th and setting up Matt O'Riley for the winner in the 83rd on his Premier League debut.

City's losing run started at Tottenham in the English League Cup last week, before a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth in the league — its first league defeat in 11 months.

For Guardiola, it's simple. City's squad cannot cope with all its injuries while the fixtures are coming thick and fast.

“We cannot do it every three days, three days, four days, three days with the (injury) situation we have,” he said, adding with an air of desperation, “I would love to have the players (back).”

City's next game is after the international break, at home to Tottenham in the league.

Liverpool has won nine of its 11 league games in a breathtaking start under new manager Arne Slot, who has got Salah playing in top form.

Salah set up Nunez after a fast breakaway in the 20th minute and scored himself on another counterattack in the 84th for his 10th goal of the season.

“If you asked me before the season started, I would not say we were candidates,” Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said about his team's title chances, "but now it looks like (we are).”

Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold went off with a suspected hamstring injury in the first half.

Wolverhampton secured its first win in the league and climbed off the bottom of the standings by beating Southampton 2-0 to ease the pressure on manager Gary O'Neil.

Brazil forward Matheus Cunha set up Pablo Sarabia for a second-minute goal and scored himself in the second half to inspire Wolves at Molineux.

Southampton dropped to last place on its return to the top flight.

Harry Wilson scored another late goal to help Fulham continue its impressive season by winning at 10-man Crystal Palace 2-0.

Wilson's two stoppage-time goals earned Fulham a dramatic win at Brentford on Monday. This time, he built on Emile Smith Rowe's opener by netting in the 83rd minute, after Daichi Kamada was red-carded for Palace. Wilson had another goal ruled out for handball in stoppage time.

Brentford bounced back from that painful loss to Fulham with a 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, thanks to Yoane Wissa's double and a 50th-minute winner from Mikkel Damsgaard.

West Ham drew at home with Everton 0-0 in the other game.

This story has been corrected to say Fulham won 2-0, not 3-0.

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's manager Arne Slot waits for the beginning the English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez runs for a ball during the English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland grabs Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, right, scores his side's first goal against Aston Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the English Premier League soccer match at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal against Aston Villa during the English Premier League soccer match at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola leaves the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Brentford's Yoane Wissa, left, celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Gtech Community Stadium, London, Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Fulham's Harry Wilson celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park, London, Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha scoring his sides second goal during the British Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, at Molineux, Wolverhampton, England, Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the British Premier League soccer match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, at Molineux, Wolverhampton, England, Saturday Nov. 9, 2024. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scores during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Brighton's Joao Pedro, left, celebrates after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Brighton's Matt O'Riley reacts after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Manchester City at Falmer Stadium in Brighton, England, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison Tuesday for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine, actions prosecutors said put the country's national security at risk, endangered other military members and damaged U.S. relationships with its allies.

Jack Teixeira had pleaded guilty in March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, nearly a year after his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years. Wearing an orange jumpsuit in court, he showed no reaction as he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani.

“Today, Mr. Teixeira has paid a very heavy price for laws he broke, for the incredible damage that he caused," Acting Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said afterward. “This significant sentence sends a powerful message to every individual who holds a top secret clearance. Anyone who willfully threatens our national security by illegally disseminating classified information will face very serious repercussions.”

Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Boston Division, told reporters the sentence held Teixeira accountable for “being one of the most prolific leakers of classified information in American history.”

“This former Air National Guardsman grossly betrayed our country and the oath he took to safeguard its secrets in order to boost his ego and impress his friends,” Cohen said. “This was not a victimless crime. The exceptionally grave damage he caused will impact our national security for decades to come.”

The leaks exposed to the world unvarnished secret assessments of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including information about troop movements in Ukraine, and the provision of supplies and equipment to Ukrainian troops. Teixeira also admitted posting information about a U.S. adversary’s plans to harm U.S. forces serving overseas.

Outside court, Teixeira’s attorney Michael Bachrach called it a “very difficult day” for his client and said Talwani imposed a “very severe punishment.” Still, he said, it was better than taking the case to trial, where Teixeira would have faced 30 years to life behind bars.

“It’s a significant sentence that will deter others,” Bachrach said. “But it’s also one that will allow him to self-reflect and grow. And we fully expect that he will be doing so.”

Before he was sentenced, Teixeira showed little emotion as he stood in court and apologized for his actions. The 22-year-old had previously admitted he illegally collected some of the nation’s most sensitive secrets and shared them with other users on the social media platform Discord.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry for all the harm that I brought and caused,” Teixeira said. “I understand all the responsibility and consequences fall upon my shoulders alone and accept whatever that will bring.”.

Afterward, Teixeira hugged one of his attorneys, looked toward his family and smiled before being led from court. His family left without commenting to reporters but his mother and others did submit letters to the court seeking leniency.

"I know Jack deeply regrets his actions and is ready to accept his punishment for his part in this situation," his mother, Dawn Dufault, wrote. “While I understand the severity of his charges and the importance of ensuring justice, I implore you, Your Honor, to consider Jack’s true nature and his unique challenges, as I have observed over the years.”

The security breach raised alarm over the country's ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout. The leaks also embarrassed the Pentagon, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members found to have intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira’s suspicious behavior.

Earlier in court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dolan told Talwani that 200 months — little more than 16 1/2 years - was appropriate given the “historic” damage from Teixeira's breach in aiding America's adversaries and hurting its allies. He also said such a sentence would send a message to anyone in the military who might consider similar conduct.

“It will be a cautionary tale for the men and women in the U.S. military,” Dolan said. “They are going to be told this is what happens if you break your promise, if you betray your country ... They will know the defendant’s name. They will know the sentence the court imposes.”

But Bachrach told the judge Tuesday that 11 years was sufficient and would amount to half of the 22-year-old's life.

“It is a significant, harsh and difficult sentence, one that will not be easy to serve,” Bachrach said, adding that Talwani should consider that his client was diagnosed with autism.

Defense attorneys had described Teixeira as an autistic, isolated individual who spent most of his time online, especially with his Discord community. They said his actions, though criminal, were never meant to “harm the United States,” and he had no prior criminal record.

“Instead, his intent was to educate his friends about world events to make certain they were not misled by misinformation,” they wrote. “To Jack, the Ukraine war was his generation’s World War II or Iraq, and he needed someone to share the experience with.”

Prosecutors countered in court filngs that Teixeira did not suffer from any intellectual disability and understood what he was doing was wrong. They wrote that his post-arrest diagnosis of “mild, high-functioning” autism was of “questionable relevance” to the proceedings.

Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, was part of the 102nd Intelligence Wing at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts. He worked as a cyber transport systems specialist, which is essentially an information technology specialist responsible for military communications networks. He remains in the Air National Guard in an unpaid status, an Air Force official said.

Authorities said he first typed out classified documents he accessed and then began sharing photographs of files that bore SECRET and TOP SECRET markings. Prosecutors also said he tried to cover his tracks before his arrest, and authorities found a smashed tablet, laptop and an Xbox gaming console in a dumpster at his house.

Special Agent in Charge FBI, Boston Division Jodi Cohen, faces reporters during a news conference following a sentencing hearing for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, at federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Acting U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy, right, faces reporters as Special Agent in Charge FBI, Boston Division Jodi Cohen, left, looks on following a sentencing hearing for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira at federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Acting U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy, right, faces reporters as Special Agent in Charge FBI, Boston Division Jodi Cohen, left, looks on following a sentencing hearing for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira at federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Michael Bachrach, defense attorney for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, faces reporters outside federal court following a sentencing hearing for Teixeira, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Acting U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy faces reporters following a sentencing hearing for Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira at federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Thomas Dufault, center right, stepfather of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, departs federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston, following a sentencing hearing for Jack Teixeira. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Thomas Dufault, front, stepfather of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, departs federal court, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston, following a sentencing hearing for Jack Teixeira. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Jack Michael Teixeira, center, father of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira. arrives at federal court for his son's sentencing hearing, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston,. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Jack Michael Teixeira, center, father of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira. arrives at federal court for his son's sentencing hearing, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston,. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Jack Michael Teixeira, center, father of Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira. arrives at federal court for his son's sentencing hearing, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Boston,. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

FILE - This artist depiction shows Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, right, appearing in U.S. District Court in Boston, April 14, 2023. (Margaret Small via AP, File)