City needed a late own goal from Sunderland’s Paddy McNair to secure a 2-1 victory in their opening Premier League match of the season, but Stones was encouraged by the performance.
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Earlier, Guardiola’s Premier League debut got off to the flawless start after four minutes as Sergio Aguero converted from the spot after Patrick van Aanholt had brought down Raheem Sterling.
But Sunderland carved out a chance for themselves on 11 minutes when Caballero’s weak clearance fell to Duncan Watmore, he fed Fabio Borini who played in Gooch to his left and the USA Under 20 worldwide slid a low ball across the face of goal, but there was no-one there to apply the finish.
Jermain Defoe’s crisp finish 20 minutes from the end raised hopes of a point, but a last-gasp own goal from the unlucky Paddy McNair saw City finish winners. Guardiola selected thirty-four-year-old goalkeeper Willy Caballero for the encounter with the Mackems, as it is perceived the Argentine is better with his feet than twenty-nine-year-old Hart.
The midfield duo were left out of Guardiola’s squad for his first Premier League match, along with striker Wilfried Bony and centre-back Eliaquim Mangala.
“That doesn’t mean in the future they are not going to play”.
Candidates for man-of-the-match in a somewhat attritional game were relatively thin on the ground but this was a step in the right direction for Sterling after a hard debut season and torrid time for England at the Euros. Sunderland thought the ball had gone out of play as Sterling ran it down the left, but no flag went up – it’s fortunate for them that Aguero’s shot sizzled wide.
“This is the best way to start and we have a lot of days to keep improving”.
The former Shrewsbury player has made 347 appearances for City, winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, two League Cups and 63 England caps, but Guardiola opted to start with Willy Caballero. We were a team.
Support from a manager like that is the type of thing the England man needs, especially given the stick he receives on social media and from opposition fans, and we may have seen the consequences of that support on Saturday.
“I can’t be critical of the players because they did a great job all round really, but I am disappointed we didn’t get a point”.
“We’ve told him on September 1 we will look to do a contract and also we’ve also had an offer from Everton”.
Guardiola’s City now face a tricky Champions League play-off round first leg at Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday, while David Moyes’ Sunderland host north-east rivals Middlesbrough next Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
“We were patient with the ball and chose the times to go and attack”.
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Although Leicester has managed to keep all but one of its key players from last season – with combative midfielder N’Golo Kante moving to Chelsea – Ranieri’s team lacked its usual bite.
