Pep Guardiola may not have hit the ground running as Manchester City’s owners would have hoped but he is seeing out the season in fine form.
City have recorded three wins on the bounce, virtually guaranteeing a top four finish in the process, and the latest victory couldn’t have been more straightforward.
The Citizens’ final home game of this campaign saw them toy with West Bromwich Albion for the vast majority of proceedings, as they recorded a 3-1 win at the Etihad.
In an interesting clash of football tactics, Guardiola’s finesse got the job done over Tony Pulis’ brawny Baggies. But there was nothing but mutual respect on display between the men, whose philosophies could not be any more different.
After the game, Guardiola showed up late to his post-match press conference but, to be fair to the Spaniard, he had a pretty brilliant excuse for his tardiness. As he took his seat, Guardiola remarked:
“Sorry I am late, but Tony Pulis is Tony Pulis and red wine is red wine.”
After enjoying a hard-earned glass of vino, Guardiola insisted that his team would not take the foot off the gas now that fourth spot was effectively secured. With three sides relegated and only Arsenal with the slimmest of Champions Cup chances, there is virtually nothing to play for coming into the final round of fixtures.
The former Barcelona boss maintained that he would have his side firing on all cylinders next Sunday, when City travel to Vicarage Road in their final outing before the summer.
“We are third so it is in our hands to finish third,” he said.
“We are going to travel to London to play Watford and win the game and finish third.”
Gabriel Jesus, Kevin de Bruyne and Yaya Toure provided the goals on Tuesday night, when City legend Pablo Zabaleta waved goodbye to his adoring home fans for the last time.
But it was a different Argentine who was singled out for praise by Guardiola after the victory over West Brom.
“Gabriel was amazing, but the key player up front was Sergio (Aguero),” Guardiola added.
“He didn’t score, but he helped us to play the third man, he made two or three assists.
“He made an amazing, amazing performance.
“Sergio played, wow, like a long time I didn’t see.”
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