HUDDERSFIELD (AFP) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was far from satisfied despite a 3-0 win away to Huddersfield Town on Sunday (Jan 20) that saw his side cut Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League table to four points.
Liverpool's compelling 4-3 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday heaped huge pressure back onto reigning champions City but they were rarely troubled by a Town side that look a certain bet for relegation this season.
City's first goal, a deflected strike for Danilo in the 18th minute, brought up their 100th goal of the season in all competitions before Raheem Sterling scored a diving header from Leroy Sane's cross in the 54th minute and Sane himself made it 3-0 with a calm finish just two minutes later.
For Guardiola, it should have been an afternoon of enjoyment as his side again proved their willingness to push Liverpool all the way this season.
The City manager, however, has forged a footballing reputation based on sublime performances as well as ruthless goalscoring and, on that basis, his team's showing in West Yorkshire was not a success as the visitors never really clicked into gear on a day against a Huddersfield side who had parted company with manager David Wagner on Monday.
'Improve in the future'Â
"During the season you have these kind of games," Guardiola said. "It is important to win. We have scored many goals in all competitions.
"(But) the way we played, we didn't deserve more than three goals. We will improve in the future.
"We have to demand more from ourselves in every game and do our best, but sometimes it's difficult.
"Today we are happy we have won but after immediately we have to analyse. During the season you have games when maybe you are not in the top level and it is important to win these games."
Although City's fans were happier than their manager following this result, Guardiola could at least take some heart from the fact his side again refused to blink first in the race for the title.
For the second consecutive week, City kicked off knowing Liverpool had already won their weekend fixture and that, consequently, the onus was back on his players to secure three points as well.
Once again, Guardiola's side managed to do that following up the 3-0 victory over Wolves with this showing and the City manager was more than happy to remind everybody that silverware is not handed out for another four months.
"One team has been better but we're in January and there's many more games to play," he added.
"You don't win or lose the Premier League in January. We have to focus on what we have to do. If Liverpool win, we have to win. And if Liverpool lose then we also have to win." This match was a baptism of fire for Huddersfield's caretaker boss Mark Hudson and while the Terriers showed impressive fight to inspire some hope this season, this defeat still left them 10 points adrift of safety.
If, as expected, the Borussia Dortmund Under-23 coach Jan Siewert is appointed as Wagner's permanent replacement, nobody would blame him if he spent his first day in the job preparing for a return to the second-tier Championship next season.
"It's been a long week," admitted Hudson.
Alexandre Lacazette was sent off as Arsenal slumped to a disappointing first-leg defeat against Bate Borisov in the Europa League last 32. Stanislav Dragun nodded home Igor Stasevich's free-kick
Defiant Solari calls for patience, Football News & Top
Messi scores 50th career hat-trick in Barcelona win. It takes Messi to 25 La Liga goals for the season, nine clear of his nearest challenger and teammate Suarez. he has 33 goals in 32
Champions League final: Mauricio Pochettino 'calm' as he refuses to commit future to Tottenham. Spurs fell to a 2-0 loss in Madrid despite playing on the front foot for much of the game, as
Spurs hope to be in new stadium 'before Christmas', says
(FILE) Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino controls the ball throughout a soccer match in Liverpool, north-west England on March 6, 2018. PAUL ELLIS / AFP Jurgen Klopp revealed Roberto Firmino has suffered a torn groin muscle after Liverpool powered again to the highest of the Premier League with a 5-Zero rout of Huddersfield on …
9 Nigerians Arrested In US For $3.5m Fraud - Latest News
Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink Wolves. Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk sink Wolves Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah and Van Dijk
UPDATE 2-Soccer-Liverpool seal Christmas top spot as Salah
Ikhsan Fandi signs a two-year deal with Norway second-tier club Raufoss IL to become first Lion in 30 years to join a European team, and the third after his father Fandi Ahmad and V. Sundram Moorthy.
Football: Ikhsan Fandi focused on task as he begins Norway
Football and Fascism. This page intentionally left blank Football and Fascism The National Game under Mussolini Simon Martin. Oxford New York Some images in the printed version of this book are not available for inclusion in the eBook.
Buy Conundrum Wine | Shop Thousands of Wines Online
AD
Chelsea boost top-four hopes, Cardiff relegated and Man City and Liverpool keep winning: Premier League predictions. Reliving Manchester United's 1999 Champions League win - 20 years on. Football.
Premier League: Liverpool Back On Top With Win Over Tottenham
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez said his side "looked like schoolboys" for Liverpool's winning goal in the Champions League semi-final second leg.
'We looked like schoolboys', says Suarez after Barca crumble
2 of 4 Hyacinth Mureen Smith, center, is hugged by her son-in-law, Enroy Barret, after she is granted custody of her 8-year-old granddaughter during a hearing in Bexar County 73rd District Court
Jurgen Klopp praises Tottenham ahead of crucial clash
Report Ad
Free Shipping Available. Buy on eBay. Money Back Guarantee!
I use a competitors service because of the poor signal strength where I live and the fact they treat my mom, a loyal ATT customer!, like crap! The phone will not ring and she will miss important calls which she won't be notified of unless someone leaves a voicemail and many times she can not call OUT because the signal strength is not there. A
iPhone Tips & Tricks: Tips to boost iPhone Signal Strength
0 comments:
Post a Comment