City Manager Praises Victory but Highlights Team’s Ongoing Struggles
Pep Guardiola has poured cold water on the notion that Manchester City have returned to their dominant best, despite an emphatic 4-1 victory over West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Erling Haaland starred with a brace, helping the reigning champions secure back-to-back league wins for the first time since October. The result signaled a potential end to City’s slump, which saw them win just two of their last 10 Premier League matches in late 2024.
However, Guardiola remained cautious, emphasizing that the performance fell short of City’s usual standards.
“Absolutely not,” Guardiola responded when asked if City’s form was back to its peak. “You judge the results, but our performance was not good. We’ve seen our level over the years, and we’re not there yet.”
While acknowledging the positives, Guardiola reiterated that the team still has work to do.
“I’m happy with the win; I’ll sleep better until the FA Cup [game against Salford City on January 11],” he added. “But are we playing like the old Manchester City? No, absolutely not. You’ve watched us over the years, and we’re not at that level right now.”
A Mixed Bag Despite Dominance
City’s commanding win, their joint-largest margin of victory this season, pushed them to sixth place in the Premier League standings. Still, they remain 11 points behind leaders Liverpool, who also hold two games in hand.
Brazilian winger Savinho played a key role, forcing an own goal from West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal and providing assists for both of Haaland’s strikes. Despite his impact, Guardiola critiqued the young player’s defensive attributes.
“Savinho has something special and brilliant that helps the team,” Guardiola admitted. “But he’s not aggressive enough without the ball and a little soft in some areas. He has a lot to improve.”
City’s schedule continues with an FA Cup third-round clash against Salford City on January 11. They then resume their league campaign with challenging away fixtures against Brentford and Ipswich Town on January 14 and 19, respectively.
While their recent victories offer hope, Guardiola’s comments suggest that Manchester City’s journey back to their peak form is far from over.
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