Silva service delights Man City boss Guardiola

Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, saw Leroy Sane make a triumphant return to his starting line-up in a 3-0 victory over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday but reserved special praise for a man-of-thematch performance from Bernardo Silva.

The Portuguese international playmaker saw his first team starts limited as City won the Premier League title last season but he has made a strong start to the new campaign.

He was little short of magnificent as City continued an unbeaten start to their title defence against newly promoted Fulham, with the only thing missing from his dominant display a goal.

Bernardo saw a secondhalf effort deflected behind and left Guardiola holding his head in his hands in mock disgust when he shot wide from 15 yards near the end but, after starting just 15 games last season, he seems guaranteed a far more pivotal role with City this term.

“It’s almost impossible to be more pleased with him as a manager,” said Guardiola. “That’s why he deserves to play all the minutes he’s playing. He played a lot last season, but not in the starting line-up, and I don’t forget his behaviour in front of his teammates last season,” added the Catalan boss.

“He was an example and that is why I said that I don’t know what will happen in the future but if I am here, this guy will stay here because he is special.”

The rout started after just 98 seconds when a poorly-placed pass from Jean Michael Seri was intercepted by Fernandinho, who advanced and crossed for new father Sane to tap into an open goal.