Erik ten Hag has warned Manchester United they must cut out the clangers after going down 3-2 to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Each of Arsenal's goals followed defensive errors as United failed to clear their defensive lines, with the final hapless attempt to play out from the back gifting the Gunners the possession that led to Eddie Nketiah's 90th-minute winner.
Fourth-placed United are 11 points behind Arsenal after Sunday's result, with hopes of a title challenge in tatters.
It was always unlikely United would be pushing for the trophy, but two last-gasp sucker-punches in London in the space of five days have dealt their hopes a major setback.
United conceded a stoppage-time goal at Crystal Palace on Wednesday that meant they only took a 1-1 draw, while this loss at Emirates Stadium compounds that disappointment.
"I think two games head to head, really close, it's hard to accept that in the end you lose in the final stage of the game," Ten Hag said.
"It can't happen, and we have to accept that, we have to learn the lessons. All the three goals, we could and we had to avoid them. Normally we are better in such situations."
Manager Ten Hag told Sky Sports he did not feel Arsenal's late pressure made it inevitable they would find a third goal.
"I don't think so. We are good in such situations, and it's tough, that's quite clear," Ten Hag said. "We have to defend much better in that situation. We're making wrong decisions and not one player but many more players, and then you concede a goal, and what I said was to avoid the same as the first two goals."
United hit the front through Marcus Rashford and then got level with a header from Lisandro Martinez, after Nketiah and Bukayo Saka nudged the Gunners into the lead.
Nketiah's second, a close-range prod, was Arsenal's reward for pushing hard for a winner as United lost a grip on the game.
"We started the game very well and scored the goal and were leading, and then made mistakes that were unacceptable," Ten Hag added. "We have to learn the lessons and move on.
"We will face the players with this because it can't happen. Good players don't make such mistakes."
Asked if the result might serve as a reality check, Ten Hag said: "It can be. Today we have to accept we are unsatisfied with this defending performance because we can do better.
"We went up 1-0 and the game is starting very well. Then you have to take benefit from that situation, and it can't happen that we concede a goal like we did.
"This is one game. Last week we did very well and kept the opponent away from our own box. If we were in the box we defended much better. Normally we don't concede goals from corners, and today there were two."
When it was mentioned that United have made progress this season, Ten Hag said he could see that, but it came as no consolation.
"We realise that as well," he said. "I just said the same words in the dressing room but also said if you want to win you can't make the mistakes I just mentioned."
On this day in 2021: Spurs sack Jose Mourinho days before Carabao Cup final
Jose Mourinho was sacked as manager of Tottenham on this day in 2021, less than a week before he was due to lead them out for the Carabao Cup final.
Spurs’ Premier League form was what ultimately cost the Portuguese his job, with his last match in charge a 2-2 draw with Everton which left Tottenham seventh, five points off the Champions League places and with just one win from their last five league games.
Mourinho’s dismissal after just 17 months at the helm was announced hours after Tottenham had confirmed they intended to join a breakaway European Super League, plans that were swiftly aborted after fans’ backlash, although that was unrelated to the Portuguese’s axing.
The 58-year-old was denied the chance of delivering the club’s first piece of silverware in 13 years, with academy coach Ryan Mason put in caretaker charge as Tottenham lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the EFL Cup showpiece.
Spurs striker Harry Kane, whose form that season had been a bright spot with 47 goal contributions in 43 games, wrote on Twitter: “Thank you for everything Boss. A pleasure to have worked together. I wish you all the best for your next chapter.”
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy spoke of his regret following Mourinho’s departure, having long coveted the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss.
Levy said on the club’s official website: “Jose and his coaching staff have been with us through some of our most challenging times as a club.
“Jose is a true professional who showed enormous resilience during the (Covid-19) pandemic. On a personal level I have enjoyed working with him and regret that things have not worked out as we both had envisaged.
“He will always be welcome here and we should like to thank him and his coaching staff for their contribution.”
Mason remained steward until the end of the season before making way for Mourinho’s fellow Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, who had a disappointing four-month spell in charge
FC Halifax back in the play-off places after draw with Oldham
FC Halifax moved back into the play-off places in the National League as Adan George rescued a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Oldham.
The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute through Dan Gardner’s half-volley from a corner before Rob Harker levelled for the home side a minute into first-half stoppage time, smashing the ball home.
Oldham were awarded a penalty when Joe Garner was fouled in the box and Gardner restored Latics’ lead from the penalty spot in the 58th minute, but The Shaymen levelled again in the 72nd minute through substitute George’s smart finish from a narrow angle.
Halifax climb back into the play-off spots on goal difference where they are tied on 68 points with Aldershot, while Oldham remain 10th.
Aldershot move into play-off places with victory at 10-man Gateshead
Kwame Thomas headed Aldershot into the National League play-off places in a 1-0 win away to a Gateshead side who played almost half the match with a defender deputising in goal.
Gateshead had goalkeeper Nathan Harness sent off in the 47th minute for bringing down James Daly outside the box and, with no stopper on the bench, Louis Storey went between the posts for the rest of the night.
Storey made a good save to keep out Cian Harries’ free-kick in the 51st minute, but could do nothing as the visitors took the lead 10 minutes later.
Thomas got on the end of a looping cross from Josh Barrett to head in, and it proved enough for a win that puts them one point above FC Halifax, who host Oldham on Thursday.
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