Fighting spirit impresses Guardiola as City find momentum in their title push as they beat Crystal Palace 3-0.
Guardiola impressed with fighting spirit as City’s title push gathers momentum.
After Erling Haaland and Phil Foden secured the team’s fifth straight victory and continued to put pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal, Pep Guardiola has cautioned that Manchester City is becoming more resilient.
After defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek, City ruthlessly won 3-0 at Selhurst Park to get revenge for their May FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace. They are now within two points of Arsenal after winning all five of their games after suffering consecutive losses to Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen at the end of November.
Guardiola used former teams who had to learn how to win the hard way to support his belief that his club had made significant progress in recent weeks.
“From experience when you win in the past you believe the past is always perfect – brilliant, red carpets,” he said. “When we won 100 points and all the titles we had a lot of games like today and the resilience was part of that. Every plan from every manager wants to do the best but there are moments where you struggle.
“Madrid was not a perfect game but it is a step that we were there and we fought, whatever happens we fought unbelievably to achieve that. That builds something for that and after we will see. We are in a better position than last season, we are close and this is what we are here to do.”
In the first half, City faced intense pressure from Palace, but Haaland’s header gave them the lead, which Foden then extended. Guardiola’s record of never losing at Selhurst Park was maintained by a late penalty kick by Halaand, his 17th Premier League goal of the year. However, the City manager praised the effort of his defence, especially Rúben Dias.
“They played together a lot lately for obvious reasons and when you are playing together the connection between the back four is so important,” he said. “The pace and composure for both full-backs, the leadership from Rúben. Rúben is an incredible leader, his professionalism, the day before, the day after, how he leads his teammates vocally. He’s an incredible signing for many years to come, he’s a real leader.”
Oliver Glasner said his side must learn to be more ruthless against the top teams. “The result doesn’t reflect the performance,” the Palace manager said. “We have to accept it. City were better in the boxes and more efficient than we were.”