Chronicle Editor
Cape Town — Pep Guardiola was disappointed with Manchester City’s defending despite beating Southampton 6-1 on Sunday.
A Wesley Hoedt (6’) own-goal kicked off proceedings before further strikes from Sergio Aguero (12’), David Silva (18’).
Danny Ings (30’) pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, but the floodgates remained open, with Raheem Sterling (45’+2, 67’) and Leroy Sane (90’+1) also both on target.
After the game, Guardiola said: “We did some very good things, the first 20 minutes was excellent and offensively we were very good, but we conceded a lot.
“The game gave me a good feeling, but at the same time, we didn’t defend well, although with 6-1 I am so satisfied. We were lucky to score the fourth goal in the final minute of the first half, because otherwise it would have been complicated after half-time.
“As a team, he [Mark Hughes] demanded a lot, and today we were very clinical, especially at the start, and we had the feeling we would create a lot of chances.
“But when they had the ball in midfield we didn’t control the balls, they won all the second balls, we had to defend deeper and were not stable enough — and that’s why the fourth goal was so crucial.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola said managing in England is a “dream come true” as he was honoured by the Football Writers’ Association fresh from a 6-1 Premier League victory against Southampton.
The Manchester City manager was recognised for his side’s Premier League title last season and the club are again setting the pace this season, with nine wins in 11 games.
Speaking at Sunday’s ceremony in Manchester, he said: “I’m fortunate to be here in your country, in England.
“It’s incredible. It was a dream from a little boy for a young manager to come here to your country and be a manager here. It’s a dream come true.”
City won 32 of their 38 games last season, scoring a record 106 goals and amassing a record 100 points.
“I want to share, of course, this award with the whole Manchester City family because I know it’s a real family,” said Guardiola.
“I know people say we have a lot of money. That’s true but despite that it’s incredible the people I’m working with and I’m a lucky guy to be here.
“Thank you so much to make me feel at home in your country here and in Manchester.”
The 47-year-old also made light of his outfit for the evening — the event’s dress code was lounge suit and Guardiola accepted the award wearing a casual top.
Pointing to his outfit, he added: “Everyone is so elegant with a suit and tie and I came here with… I am a little bit embarrassed, I’m a disaster. I didn’t expect how important this event was.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic says he cannot wear a red poppy to remember Britain’s war dead because it reminds him of the trauma of a Nato bombing campaign on his home country when he was a young child.
The 30-year-old Serbian said he had worn the symbol in the past but would not do so this year.
Matic was the only United player not to wear a poppy on his shirt during the 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday but said he hoped people would sympathise with his reasons.
“I have total sympathy for anyone who has lost loved ones due to conflict,” said Matic, who received abuse on social media following the Bournemouth match.
“However, for me it is only a reminder of an attack that I felt personally as a young, frightened… boy living in Vrelo, as my country was devastated by the bombing of Serbia in 1999.” — AFP-Sport24.
derick.khumalo