Guardiola pleased as City bounce back with Arsenal win

Posted Monday, February 04, 2019 by PA

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expressed his delight at the way in which the Blues had bounced back from their loss at Newcastle following the victory over Arsenal.

Sergio Aguero netted a hat-trick as City beat the Gunners 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, five days on from losing 2-1 at St James’ Park.

It saw the champions move back into second place in the Premier League, with the gap between them and leaders Liverpool reducing to two points ahead of the Reds facing West Ham away on Monday.

Guardiola said: “Against Newcastle we scored a goal (in the first minute) and didn’t try again and again.

“No fight and (not) trying to have the intensity to score a second goal. Then a few days later we score the first goal (again in the opening minute), we try to get the second one and try to score more chances.

“I think that is the big lesson we can learn. When that happens, OK, we are a team who can be proud for what we do.”

Guardiola, whose men are next in action when they take on Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday, said when asked about the title race: “Many things are going to happen. Now we are two (points behind), tomorrow it can be three or two or it can be five again.

“But we are the only team, with Everton, playing in midweek and we have to go there to get three more points.

“I’m not in the mind of Jurgen (Klopp, the Liverpool manager) or the players.

“Every press conference, we put pressure on Liverpool, pressure onto us, ‘what do you think about Liverpool?’ I don’t know really.

“What we have to do is try to make a good performance, or be ourselves – that is the main target we want to achieve and win our games. That’s all.”

The day after City lost on Tyneside, Liverpool missed the chance to extend their lead at the top to seven points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester at home.

Guardiola added on Sunday when asked about pressure on Liverpool and City: “I prefer to be in the position of Liverpool. I said many times I prefer to be there than in the position we are.

“The pressure is when you are behind, if you lose points, it will be tougher. When you are at the top with distance, always you can drop points and still you are there.”

Aguero, who had netted after 24 seconds on Tuesday, scored a diving header after 46 against Arsenal, and following Laurent Koscielny’s swift reply, added further close-range finises in the 44th and 61st minutes. It was the 14th hat-trick of his City career.

The Argentinian’s third came off his arm, and he said on Sky Sports: “I think it came off my chest, but now I see on TV it was a handball.”