Pep: Palace win a 'good statement' from City | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola praised the ruthless, cutting edge of City and said Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League win away at Crystal Palace had served as a ‘good statement’ to help round off a superb week’s work.

Match Report

Haaland and Foden help power City to a key victory at Crystal Palace

An Erling Haaland brace allied to a marvellous Phil Foden strike helped see off the challenge of talented and dangerous Palace side.

A fourth straight league win – and fifth in all competitions – brought the Blues back to within two points of leaders Arsenal.

It also set a satisfying seal on a hugely demanding week that began with a 3-0 home win over Sunderland and then saw City secure a momentous 2-1 UEFA Champions League success away at Real Madrid.

Reflecting on this latest impressive victory in southeast London, the City boss said though he felt that there was still much more to come from his emerging side, the significance of today’s victory was crystal clear.

“It was difficult today and ruthless is the word. It’s been a lot of work,” Pep declared.

“They are so strong. Every time we play against them it’s so difficult - their physicality and they’re a transitional team, how good they defend.

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“A really difficult game and we knew it [would be] after a tough game emotionally in Madrid.

“Really pleased for many things that are going to happen inside the locker room.

“There are many things we have to improve but in Madrid they gave me a lot of signals that still we are not ready in terms of how we have to approach certain games.

“They are young some players, but of course we are really pleased because I know how tough they are and to win 3-0 here is a good statement from us.”

The victory also served as the perfect way to begin preparations ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter final at home to Brentford which is then followed by next Saturday’s Premier League Etihad assignment with West Ham.

And for Guardiola, one of the big plus points from a hugely productive past few days was how City’s identity is developing and proving vital in helping a new-look squad grow.

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“Be yourself, it’s not about winning or losing,” Pep stressed.

“Always when you approach the game, whatever happens, whoever the opponents, in those terms just good things is going to happen

“It makes no sense to play football without being who you are as an individual player or as a team.

“Still, we are not top, but we are learning and after what happened we will be closer in the future.

“[After playing] in the Bernabeu, [we were] calm and had one training session and prepare the team for the last FA Cup winners and being in an incredible [opponent].

“Not just for the results because the results are a consequence of what Oliver and his people are doing.

“So it’s really good and now we have two more games a long week to Christmas time and we have to try the reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and then West Ham before that.”

City v Brentford tickets available

Tickets for City’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Brentford on Wednesday 17 December are now available on general sale.

Having won this competition four times under Pep Guardiola and eight times in total, we have a storied history in the League Cup.

Victories over Huddersfield and Swansea have brought us to the last eight of this year’s competition, where we’ll face Keith Andrews’ side.

With a semi-final place to play for, it’s set to be an exciting night at the Etihad Stadium.

And with prices from £22.50 for adults and £5 for Under-18s, you can get your tickets now!

Buy tickets here