Guardiola hails match winner Nunes | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Matheus Nunes after his last-gasp winner against Aston Villa saying the Portuguese ace is ‘incredibly loved’ in the City dressing room.

Nunes popped up with the decider in the vital 2-1 victory for City at the Etihad, turning in substitute Jeremy Doku’s pinpoint cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Our No.27 has been doing a job for the team of late, starring in the unusual role of full-back along with Nico O’Reilly on the opposite flank.

And the boss hailed the goalscoring hero for his industry and personality.

“He's a person who is incredibly loved,” Guardiola said in his post-match press conference.

“When he talks in the media it's always serious but in the locker room he's the complete opposite, always laughing.

“He’s playing not in a natural position, like Nico. If you told me at the beginning of the season you are going to play at the end of the season to reach a final and to fight to qualify for the Champions League with Matheus and Nico at full-back I would say what are you talking about.

“He has done well, has incredible pace and is a different type of player to Rico.

“In the small spaces, [Rico] is so clean the way he plays.

“[Nunes's] physicality, when he has to run, and hold good wingers he is able to do it and he's playing better.

“Not just for the goal. Both have been so important.”

Guardiola also had kind words for provider Doku as he chatted to media following the last-gasp victory.

The wing wonder showed his pace and grace before playing in Nunes for the vital goal, which put us up into third spot in the Premier League.

And the manager was thrilled with his contribution.

“Jeremy always gives you something for the crowd and he can change the game,” he added.

“Of course he can play all of it. In the first three or four actions against Disasi he was being held by Malen and he could not do the action.

“But at the end, for me, Jeremy is the best player in the world in the first five metres. Over the first five metres he’s unstoppable.

“He made the action and today an incredible good cross and to score a goal you have to be there.

“Gundo was there, Nico was there, and today Matheus was there and we could score and win the game.”

The result puts us in a very strong position to qualify for the Champions League with four games of the top-flight campaign remaining – Wolves and Bournemouth at home as well as Southampton and Fulham away.

Guardiola is well aware of the importance of the result which put us into third in the Premier League table.

But the boss called for calm heads ahead of the top-flight finale and an FA Cup semi-final this coming weekend against Nottingham Forest at Wembley.

“Of course it’s important, you don’t have to be a scientist to realise we played against Aston Villa one of the best teams,” he added.

“You saw the games against Newcastle and PSG. In top form, the quality, the manager and everything. It’s extraordinary.“ We performed like we were in the past with commitment. We conceded not much. We didn't create much either.

“But the back-four again has been amazing, all the players. So in terms of qualification for the Champions League of course it’s important.

“But at the same you have to be calm, focus on the semi-final and then prepare for four finals. Two at home and two away, game by game.”