Tottenham Hotspur earned a 2-0 win over Manchester City to boost their top four hopes.
Goals from Spurs debutant Steven Bergwijn and Son Heung-min were enough to seal an important three points for Jose Mourinho's side, after City were reduced to 10 men in the second half.
The defeat leaves Pep Guardiola's side 22 points behind league leaders Liverpool with 13 games to play, and their hopes of catching Jurgen Klopp's men all but over.
Speaking after the game, Guardiola refused to criticise his players.
"Never. With this performance? How can I be critical with my players with this performance?
"I was talking with my staff, with my wife and with my players," he told Sky Sports after the match.
"With this performance, it would be an incredible mistake to say how bad they are because it isn't true.
"It's not football, football, football, it's to create chances and create few. I always think a good side is when you create more than the opposition and you concede few.
"Always I've believed in this concept and you are close to winning the games. Few times this season it has happened."
The defeat to Spurs was disappointing for the reigning champions, but their failure to find the net was also significant for another reason.
Coming into the game, City had scored in 23 consecutive away games in the Premier League.
Their blank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means that run is now at an end despite the numerous chances spurned - including a missed penalty by Ilkay Gundogan.
The end of their impressive sequence means they will not match the league record for scoring on the road in the most consecutive games, which is currently held by Arsenal with 27.
The Gunners achieved the record under Arsene Wenger between the 2001/02 and 2002/03 seasons.
Manchester United previously held the record with 24, between 2000-2003.
