Man City boss Guardiola hails ‘really big three points’ vs Forest as he jokes Lijnders has taken his job | OneFootball

Man City boss Pep Guardiola has hailed his side for claiming a “really big three points” on the road at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

The Citizens went top of the Premier League with the 2-1 win, although Arsenal will go back to the summit on Saturday if they can beat against Brighton, thanks to goals from Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki either side of an Omari Hutchinson equaliser for Forest.

Guardiola was well aware of the threats posed by a good Nottingham Forest side under Sean Dyche and he was pleased that Man City got out of the City Ground with the three points.

Man City boss Guardiola told TNT Sports: “All the kilos I won over Christmas time in weight, today I lost it. I am fit again. What a team San Dyche has made again. That’s a really, really, really big three points.

“[Forest] are an incredible team, the way that they play they do it unbelievably. Igor wins all of the balls. They have a top quality team, This team was in the Champions League but for one or two games last season and now in European competitions. A fantastic team and tough place to come, and at winter time.

“We talked a lot about this in the last few days with the players. Winter time, at Nottingham Forest, you have to be there, there, there. Today if we are not ready then we do not win that game. The mentality was unbelievable, so really pleased again for the guys.”

On changes from first half to second, Guardiola added: “There were too many players behind the ball and not the pockets. After when we break, move inside and outside, then we create chances.”

When asked about his celebrations with Pep Lijnders after both goals, Guardiola replied: “He is so good. He is a top manager. Sometimes people think, ‘he’s the assistant’, well maybe I am his assistant. We talked at half time and changed a little bit the shape.”

On going top, Guardiola continued: “We have 18 games played so we have now finished the first leg. And in the second we know that coming is a lot of games like today. The Premier League is tougher, tougher, tougher, but it is important to be there. Winning or losing today would not mean it’s over, we have many games.”

Reacting to the win over Forest, Man City midfielder Reijnders said on TNT Sports: “We know a lot of clubs suffer here. From what I heard Nottingham Forest at home is always difficult, and yes [it’s true] I felt it as well. It’s a very important win and we are on the hunt.

“They made the spaces really tight so it was very difficult to find the free man in between the lines. In the second half we made some changes to the formation and we could find the free man more often.”

On his goal, Reijnders added: “I had to play higher on the pitch [in the second half], so they had more difficulties choosing who to get. The goal was a perfect example of this. Of course Cherki knows how to find those passes and I could finish that one. He is very good, he finds spaces and when he gets the ball you have to be ready and in position.”

When asked about playing for Guardiola, he continued: “Yes he is very intense but he makes us all better players. For me now I’m here four or five months, you look differently at the game. I want to learn more and more and more.”