City win is just one step for Pep
MAN CITY ........... 3 WOLVES ............ 0
PEP GUARDIOLA warned he is still not satisfied with his Manchester City side despite an Erling Haaland hat-trick sinking Wolves.
Guardiola tore into his players after their 4-2 comeback win over Tottenham, claiming they lacked the “passion, fire and hunger” to retain their Premier League title.
And despite Haaland taking his goal tally to 31 with his fourth hat-trick of the season, Guardiola said there was still room for improvement from City.
“It’s just one game, so we have to see in the future,” said Guardiola. “The way we played was quite similar to the first half when we were losing 2-0 to Spurs.
“There are things like how you react when the ball is out of play – and we don’t react.
“Today we improved but it was just today, so we’ll see what happens in the next games.”
Guardiola said Haaland’s latest masterclass was the perfect response to critics who said City were better off without him leading their attack.
“When we lost the Community Shield to Liverpool, all the questions were about how he will not adapt to the Premier League,” said Guardiola.
“When he scores goals he’s the solution, when he doesn’t, he’s the problem. He’s not a player to be dropped, we cannot play the false nine position with him, we have to adapt and I think we’re doing pretty well.”
On City’s chances of catching Arsenal, defender John Stones said: “It’s just about us. We can be our own worst enemies at times.
“We have to be focused. We’re the champions for a reason and we want to be champions again. We have to put ourselves in the best place possible. Let’s keep winning games and getting clean sheets and see where it takes us.”
Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui said: “We deserved to lose. We’ve improved in certain things and I’m happy with the commitment of the players. We were bottom of the table when I arrived but the next few months will be long ones.”*