In what appears to be a thinly veiled attack on Jose Mourinho and his Manchester United side, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola stated after their game against Bournemouth, that the Cherries were the toughest side that the Citizens played against this season.
Manchester City won 4-0 against Bournemouth at the Etihad with goals coming from Kevin De Bruyne, Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan.
Guardiola said, "Bournemouth was until now the best team, who create more problems when they have the ball. The other teams play long balls and they want to play and our high pressing was not perfect.”
“The quality of our players made the difference. I'm very pleased because I know against which team we won. Joshua King is a tough, tough striker and their wingers are so fast."
Also Read: EPL 2016/17: Manchester City 4-0 Bournemouth - 5 talking points
Manchester City maintained their two-point lead at the top, and remain unbeaten after winning all five games, in what is turning out to be a dream start for Guardiola.
City won their Champions League game midweek 4-0 and Guardiola spoke about the importance of their victory last night, "The important thing is we won a game just a few days after a Champions League game. The Champions League is so demanding in the physical condition but especially in the head so to come back again is not easy."
The Blues’ star striker Sergio Aguero will be available for the next league game but Guardiola has a problem of plenty on his hands, as City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho has filled Aguero’s space quite well. He and Sterling were unstoppable for City as they caused havoc for the Cherries' defense.
Howe disappointed with Bournemouth performance
Eddie Howe will be disappointed as Bournemouth arrived in Manchester high on confidence after beating West Brom away in their last game.
Howe said, “Fair play to them. They were better than us today. But I don't really look at the result, I look at the performance and overall I was disappointed. I feel we can do better than that."
Also Read: EPL 2016-17: Manchester City 4-0 Bournemouth - Player Ratings
The Cherries manager gave new signing Jack Wilshere his first start since arriving at Bournemouth, but the former Arsenal man could not influence the proceedings and was subbed off after 68 minutes.
On Wilshere, Howe quipped, "The minutes will have done him the world of good and once he fully understands how we play and what we want him to do, I think he will be an excellent player for us."
For more articles like this and all the news related to the wide world of football, please click here
