Bournemouth were blown away at the Etihad with goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan in another brilliant performance. “There is something tangible that they really want this, to bounce back, you get the feeling they want to make up for lost time”.
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Central to the impressive performance was the 25-year-old Belgium global, signed by City from Wolfsburg for big money in August 2015, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Guardiola’s fierce rival Jose Mourinho at Chelsea earlier in his career.
“He is one of the best, there is no doubt about that. We are so, so lucky we have Kevin with us”.
De Bruyne was the inspiration behind City’s 2-1 win at Manchester United last weekend with a goal and assist, and he was the team’s creative force here.
When then asked about how De Bruyne ranked among the great players he has managed, ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola said: “He’s one of them”.
“Messi is on his own in the table, but Kevin is in the next table and he is right up there”.
Carlo Ancelotti previously did it twice with Chelsea, with the six successive league victories the Italian oversaw at the start of the 2009/10 laying the foundation for winning the title. “Maybe I am wrong but I think he would like to win these individual prizes”.
“It was a hard day”, he said.
“He was good last season”.
“He (Iheanacho) has eyes for goals and better as a support striker”, explained former Nigerian global and NFF’s assistant director (technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf. I don’t think so, guys. His performances, not only today but this season, have been nothing short of spectacular. “They created more problems with the balls than others who played long balls”, he said. He is so comfortable, so in control. “Always for the next game, we have to try to do it better than the game before”.
“It’s absolutely superb from De Bruyne”.
Manchester City maintained their imperious start to the season with a fifth straight victory on Saturday as Bournemouth were swept aside 4-0 to become the latest victims of Pep Guardiola’s table-toppers.
Guardiola rejects the theory his side are finding it easy, or that his players might start to take their form for granted.
“When I watch them play, I enjoy it, and it’s rare for me to say that when I watch an opponent play. He is a fantastic player and helps us a lot”.
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The 25-year-old’s intelligence, running with the ball and vision made him a constant threat and his link-up play with Sterling, Nolito and Iheanacho left Bournemouth bemused.
