Manchester City needed to break losing ‘routine’, says Pep Guardiola
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Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring their second goal with teammate Jeremy Doku.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MANCHESTER – Pep Guardiola said Manchester City had to break the habit of losing after snapping a seven-game winless streak by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 on Dec 4.
The English champions’ barren run included six defeats, the worst run of Guardiola’s managerial career.
However, victory at the Etihad Stadium came at a cost as defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji had to be replaced due to injuries.
“We needed it. The club, the players needed to win but it is just one game,” said Guardiola.
“The problems continue with Manu and Nathan.
“In general, the most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and finally we won, but we have to continue.”
Injury woes have been at the heart of City’s struggles in recent months, with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri out for the season due to a serious knee problem.
Kevin de Bruyne’s return to the starting line-up for the first time in nearly three months showed what City have been missing as he helped restore order for Guardiola’s men.
The Belgian teed up Bernardo Silva for an early opener and then fired home himself to double City’s lead.
Jeremy Doku rounded off the scoring in the second half, as the home side ensured that there was no repeat of last week’s Champions League match against Feyenoord, in which they surrendered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 at home.
Guardiola dismissed suggestions before the game that there had been a rift with de Bruyne, as he has been carefully managed back from injury problems.
“Last season was many months (out injured) and this season as well. I’m so happy he’s back,” added the Spaniard.
“He fought a lot. In respect to his physicality and minutes against Feyenoord was not good and that’s why I decided not to play (him from the start) at Anfield (against Liverpool) for the rhythm they play.
“But the (12) minutes he played at Anfield were really good and today he played 75 fantastic minutes.”
Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku scores their third goal past Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca enjoyed the sound of the travelling supporters chanting his name as his side romped to a 5-1 win at Southampton.
The Blues were 4-1 up late in the game when the away section sang his name as they celebrated Chelsea’s impressive win, which moved them to second in the standings. The Italian applauded the chants which made them even louder.
“It was a very good feeling. You can see they are happy, that is our target, we work every day to keep them happy,” he said.
“Tonight was a very good feeling. They can see Chelsea is back and this is an important thing.”
Axel Disasi had given the Blues an early lead before Joe Aribo equalised for the Saints. But then Chelsea took control with goals from Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho.
AFP, REUTERS
