Pep: this is how we won our leagues
PEP GUARDIOLA waxed lyrical about his players after Manchester City’s irresistible display at Chelsea moved them ominously to within striking distance of the Premier League summit. City’s convincing win at Stamford Bridge moved the club into fifth — just four points adrift of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand and well and truly in the title hunt. Guardiola’s men have struggled to hit top form so far this season but their performance in putting Chelsea to the sword fired a menacing message toward their rivals at the top of the table. Guardiola said: ‘We had a plan, we tried to play in a certain way that we did in the past and it worked. The players were incredible, fantastic in all departments. ‘We are a team that has to play in one certain rhythm. A lot of passes and, in the right moment, attack. We won Premier Leagues in that way, and we miss a little bit for many reasons this tempo, and today we got it. The way we won the League titles, it was because we were like today.’ Guardiola still played down City’s role in the title race saying: ‘The League is weird for everyone this season. We just have to be focused during games, but otherwise relax. Hopefully in the League in the last six, seven games we can be there fighting.’ The City boss was full of praise for Phil Foden, scorer of City’s second goal. ‘He never dropped his energy, how he helps, and he can play up front in all four positions. And again, he has a sense of goal, he scored another fantastic goal. We rely on him, incredible. He will be a top player because he is so clever, so calm.’ City’s fine performance was made more incredible due to their squad being decimated by a Covid outbreak. ‘I said thank you to all the players,’ the manager added. ‘We had players and staff with Covid and we asked players to step forward and they did, to make an incredible display against one of the best teams in england. The only problem is to play these amount of games with only 15 or 16 players. This is difficult to handle.’ Foden, who scored and supplied an assist, heaped praise on his boss who forcefully congratulated him on his way off. ‘We always have great tactics in games like this, Pep is a genius,’ said Foden. ‘It means a lot when you put 100 per cent into a game to get a good shout off the manager. I’ve got a lot to learn, there are quality players here. Riyad Mahrez could easily have played. I’ve just got to keep improving. This win gives us confidence in the changing room. We want to keep pushing now.’