SCORING
Pep’s rampant City in seventh heaven
PEP GUARDIOLA celebrated his Manager of the Month award by battering Stoke, and warned: “My players know how to damage teams.”
Rampant City produced another scintillating show, which saw them extend their lead at the top of Premier League table by two points.
Guardiola said: “I know the Premier League better, and we know how to damage other teams. Against Stoke
this was a great performance. You can always do better, but that was the best we have played since I arrived here.
“We mostly have the same players as 12 months ago, but they know each other now.”
It encompassed another outstanding performance from Kevin de Bruyne, who admitted: “I can’t wait for the next 100 games. What a team performance.”
Guardiola added: “We are always talking about Kevin.
“Even though he didn’t score, Kevin is a guy who is so dynamic. He understands the game. He is aggressive with the ball. He passes with the right tempo and pace. He’s a terrific player.”
But he quickly shot down any suggestion that his freeflowing side are happy to be the Harlem Globetrotters of football. Guardiola said: “I am a spectator as well as a manager, and I enjoyed our football. But I’m here to win – I’m not here to entertain.
“Last year when people said we had to change our methodology when we could not win at home or were losing 4-2 at Leicester, I said that’s not going to happen.
“It was to improve our ideas. I want to win, but this is how I want to play.
“Now our confidence is so high and everybody believes.
“We concede few goals, we scored seven and created more. We want to play in front, attacking, and I’m happy that we’re able to do it here in the Premier League.”
Brazilian star Gabriel Jesus said: “We are playing well this season and the fans are enjoying it. That is more important than scoring lots.”