Pep Guardiola has made a bold statement that the “money we spend is the reason” city trash Southampton in Etihad.
Guardiola’s sides trashed Soton 5-2 in the English Premier League on Wednesday night to go 14 points clear. City boss earlier revealed that his side was ‘on fire in training’ ahead of the game.
Midfielders Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne scored a brace each while Ilkay Gundagan added to make it 5-2.
Notably, Mahrez joined City at a fee of £60million, 2018 and De Bruyne at a then club’s record signing of £55m, 2015. Gundogan came at a fee of approximately £20m in 2016. All the three midfielders were on target to justify Pep’s statement.
“We faced the most brilliant and the best team we have faced in this stadium in the competition,” Guardiola said.
“The first 15, 20 minutes, they were just exceptional. Big compliments for Southampton, the way they play is fantastic. It’s a joy to watch, it’s a present for the spectators. That’s why I like the Premier League; you play games like today, so difficult, so tough,” he explained.
“Today, Manchester City won (due to) the quality of the players we have on the pitch. The players up front made the difference.
“The money we spend, that is the reason why we won today,” the Spanish tactician stated.
Meanwhile, Guardiola slams the VAR for not asking referee Jon Moss to review his decision on the pitchside monitor. He felt that Phil Foden deserved a penalty after keeper Alex McCarthy appeared to foul him.
“It’s just incredible. It’s just incredible that the penalty was not given,” Guardiola said.
“Maybe one day (someone) is going to explain to us why.
“Jon cannot see it has happened, but VAR is there for this. I do not understand it. It’s a tough, tough situation for referees, that’s why VAR is here to help,” he added.
“That’s made me incredibly happy that in these four-and-a-half years, everything we have won is absolutely for us. [No one] gave us anything, anything, zero.
“Our effort and our quality make us what we achieve, and now we are 14 points clear, and a step closer to winning the Premier League,” Pep concluded.