It’s another important day in Manchester City’s Premier League title race, with Pep Guardiola’s side still digesting their 3-0 win over Brentford as attention turns to Arsenal’s clash with West Ham.
Follow the news of the day here on readmancity.com as we cover all the major Man City updates, reaction and talking points from Sunday.
Pep Guardiola is expecting a tough title race
Guardiola asked whether there could still be more twists in the Premier League title race after City’s 3-0 win over Brentford.
The City boss praised the team’s performance despite his side facing pressure to chase. However, he compared Arsenal’s consistency to Liverpool’s best seasons, suggesting a tough title race.
“We’re fighting against, like Liverpool [in the past], a colossal team. They’re in the Champions League final, they didn’t lose one game in this competition, top of the league almost all season.”
“It’s not in our hands now, so it depends on they have to drop points. It’s simple; just two weeks, and the season will be over, and we have to, every moment, and the spirit I have seen.”
He added, “This is a team that defines. At the end, you can lose, but try to do our job, and we’ll see what happens.”
Guardiola credits Matheus Nunes adaptability
Guardiola was asked how he has transformed the Portuguese midfielder into one of the best right-backs in the world.
However, the Catalan manager didn’t take any credit for the transformation. Instead, Guardiola let the player’s efforts speak for themselves.
“Him. He has the physical conditions. He’s a midfielder in terms of passes and has incredible pace. He surprised me a lot how tactically he’s so smart and intelligent,” Guardiola said.
The manager added, “He deserves all the incredible [praise]. Like Jeremy [Doku], he’s made another step as a football player.”
“I am really, really, really pleased because he can play there, but one day we’ll need him as a holding midfielder, and he can do it; he can play in pockets. But I think he’s a player that in small spaces he struggles a little bit, and in bigger spaces he’s top.”
Wayne Rooney reveals his advice for Jeremy Doku post-Brentford win
Speaking on Match of the Day, Rooney explained that he spoke to Doku after the FA Cup semi-final and encouraged him to become more aggressive in front of goal.
The advice has served Doku well as he’s scored three goals since that game. It looks like the winger just needed some push to be selfish and convert chances himself.
“After the semi-final, I said to him off-air, ‘You need to be more selfish and get more shots off.’ You see from that, the goals he scored, the shots he’s had, the chances created, everything about his game since then shows he’s an absolute world-class player,” Rooney said on-air.
Guardiola explains Tijjani Reijnders decision
Guardiola was asked by beIN Sports what he changed at half-time after City had struggled to break Brentford down before the interval.
The manager indicated that he just asked the players to be in the box more. Guardiola’s suggestion worked with the Sky Blues scoring three goals by the end of the game.
“No, just more players in the box. To score a goal, you have to be there. The first half, there were not enough players there,” Guardiola told beIN Sports.
Likewise, he linked that decision to the decision to start Reijnders, and the gaffer was happy with the Dutchman’s contributions throughout the game.
“I wanted players in the box, I want runners, and Tijjani is extraordinary with that. To the box and he had two or three shots, intensity, and he played it really good in the second balls,” Guardiola said.
Guardiola praises Jeremy Doku for latest performance
Likewise, Guardiola was asked about Doku’s impact after the Brentford game. The Belgian had also scored a late equaliser against Everton, which helped City win at least one point in Liverpool.
The Catalan manager made it clear that he sees Doku’s recent influence as part of a wider season-long development.
“All season, he has been outstanding. What a player he has become. I’m so happy for him,” Guardiola told beIN Sports.
He added, “Those two goals, they were both very similar. To have the composure to do that, they could be season-defining moments.”
Brentford made City work hard, and Guardiola admitted after the game that his side needed more bodies in the box after the first half.
