Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed relief after his team’s commanding 4-1 victory over West Ham United on Saturday but dismissed suggestions that the performance signaled a return to their peak form.
The Premier League win at the Etihad Stadium, featuring Erling Haaland’s first league double since September and three assists from Savinho, lifted City to sixth place, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
However, despite securing back-to-back wins for the first time since October, Guardiola insisted his side is still not performing at their usual high standards.
“No, you judge the results,” Guardiola told reporters after the match. “We saw in many years our level. We are not at our level.
“Don’t misunderstand me. I’m so happy. I will sleep better until the FA Cup (City host Salford City on January 11th). But you watched the games for years, we’re not at the level, come on. Against Everton we played much better than today. And we draw, big crisis, disaster.
“Of course there are positives. If you ask me the team is playing like the years, of course not.”
Kevin De Bruyne, who played the full match, provided his third assist of the season on Phil Foden’s second-half goal. The 33-year-old Belgian, whose current contract expires in June, downplayed speculation about a potential extension.
“I don’t care,” De Bruyne told the BBC. “I am just trying to get back to my level. I feel every week I am getting better. I can go for 90 minutes now. It has been an uncomfortable couple of months with the injury.”
Guardiola had previously stated that De Bruyne’s fitness and form would be key factors in the club’s decision on a new deal.
Savinho, who assisted on two of Haaland’s goals and played a key role in Vladimir Coufal’s own goal, received both praise and critique from his manager. The Brazilian had scored his first goal for City in their 2-0 win over Leicester City just a week earlier.
“He’s clean in his mind. He doesn’t think nothing in his head in the past,” Guardiola said. “Normally many years here, the players think they deserve something special for what they have done. Big mistake.
“(But) Savio has to do everything to win,” he added. “Having a left foot in the left side, old-fashioned vintage football. Has a lot to improve, not aggressive enough without the ball, a little soft in many departments. Right now has something special for the team. I’m so happy for him and he deserves to play.”
City will now shift focus to their FA Cup clash with Salford City on January 11 as they look to build momentum.
