It’s a magnificent seven at Etihad
BRILLIANT DE BRUYNE TOO HOT FOR STOKE Best performance since I’ve been here, says Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City produced the best performance of his reign in their 7-2 thrashing of Stoke City on Saturday. Kevin de Bruyne was outstanding, producing two assists and playing a part in three more goals as City scored seven goals for the first time since Guardiola took charge in July 2016.
It was the first time City had scored that many in a league match since defeating Norwich 7-0 in November 2013, with Gabriel Jesus scoring twice, and further goals from Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Fernandinho, Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva.
Victory put City two points clear at the top of the Premier League, and left Guardiola struggling to find fault, although he was disappointed that his side conceded goals either side of half-time, with Stoke’s first from Mame Biram Diouf, and the second a Kyle Walker own goal.
“You can always do better but I cannot deny that today was the best performance since I arrived here,” he said.
De Bruyne’s performance was complimented by both Guardiola and Stoke manager Mark Hughes, who described the midfielder as the best player currently in the Premier League.
“Kevin didn’t score today, but he is a guy who is so dynamic. He understands the game. Normally, that kind of player doesn’t do the actions to be aggressive, win the ball, and make the right pass and the right tempo,” he said.
“After that, when he has the ball in the positions close to the area, the wingers, strikers and attacking midfielders move because they know the ball is coming.
“He’s a talented player, and he produced a good performance.”
Hughes was disappointed with his team’s defending, particularly in the first half, but did find time to express his admiration for De Bruyne.
“Kevin de Bruyne is head and shoulders above any player in the league in my view,” he said. – AFP