It was a brutal assessment of an uneven performance that saw Manchester City eventually grind out a win against opponents who fought hard but should have been easily dealt with.
And Guardiola admitted he is learning that these kind of performances are needed in the Premier League – unlike the strolls he has been used to in Spain and Germany.
But after two goals from the returning Yaya Toure earned City only their second league win in six matches, the Spaniard warned that it is not good enough.
“We cannot win the title the way if we play like we did on Saturday,” he said. “The players know that because they can play really, really well – and they know that if we play that way we can achieve our targets.
Why we love Pep Guardiola
Tue, February 2, 2016Express Sport brings you our favourite snaps of Pep Guardiola as he prepares to take over from Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City next season
As Pep Guardiola prepares for his first season in the Premier League, taking over from Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City next term, Express Sport have compiled a collection of our favourite pictures of City’s new manager
“We cannot forget that a few weeks ago we beat the best team in Europe – Barcelona. But there are games during the season like Saturday where you are not brilliant.
“This was maybe good step, but in the long-term you have to play better. It can happen once – that you play like this and still win – but when it happens often, at the end you are going to lose.
“The game is not over until you are two or three goals ahead. I need more time to handle these kind of things. In Spain or Germany you can have three games in the season playing good – but it’s impossible in the Premier League.
“But we controlled the last few minutes better than, for example, Middlesbrough where we only drew. Our reaction after we conceded the goal was brilliant.
“Our mentality was attack. This was much better, so that’s why it’s a huge compliment to the team, because you have to win these kind of games. After our draws at home, that was so important.”
For City, who face Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Champions League on Tuesday, the key figure at Selhurst Park was Toure.
Returning for his first league game since May after settling his differences with his manager, Toure ran the game and proved just what his team have been missing when he is in the mood.
Crystal Palace were obstinate and dogged, if lacking a cutting edge, but the pressure is mounting on manager Alan Pardew.
His team were better in the second half, equalising through Connor Wickham, but it is now five defeats in a row for Pardew, this one in front of American majority shareholder Joshua Harris. His players are backing him, but Pardew himself admits that Saturday’s game at Swansea is now crucial.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye said: “Can the manager turn this around? Of course. The quality and the spirit of the sessions last week was very good. We have to trust the manager. We are all in the same boat and have to take our responsibilities as players.”
Pardew added: “Swansea is now a pivotal game in our season. You can’t hide from that. It is no good me saying it is just another game. It’s more than that.”