After Manchester City’s resounding victory over Liverpool at the weekend, boss Pep Guardiola has been quick to praise the destructive impact that City’s forwards Gabiel Jesus and Sergio Aguero had.
The Argentine set the ball rolling at the Etihad, rounding Simon Mignolet to slot home his 124th Premier League goal, before a quick-fire double from Jesus either side of half-time sealed the points.
Speaking about the budding partnership, the Independent report that Guardiola said:
“Maybe the fact that Sergio and Gabriel are playing together means we have more chances because they are central to the goal.”
And there was one moment in particular that stood out for the City boss, with Aguero choosing to pass to his strike partner to slot home the third goal of the afternoon despite being through on goal himself.
“It means a lot to me, what Sergio did. They are both good guys. Both are exceptional and their relationship is top.
“Both want to score goals and we need that, that egotism, wanting to score more than your teammate, but they have the ability to choose the right decision like Sergio did.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has also been reflecting on an outstanding team performance on Saturday afternoon, praising the fact that City are starting to win the ‘big games’.
The Belgian international was at his influential best against Jurgen Klopp’s side, supplying a sublime defence-splitting ball for Aguero to slot the opener before crossing for Jesus to head home a second.
But his post-match focus was firmly on moving forward, telling the Independent:
“The only thing we didn’t do last year was win the big games. I thought we deserved to win a few more games than we did, especially at home, like the ones against Tottenham and Chelsea.
“It makes a difference – that’s five or six points extra and they are losing those points so then you are closer together.”
And lastly, reports coming from the United States over the past day have claimed that Manchester City have agreed a long-term contract with young Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown.
Local news outlet the Kansas City Star believe that the 20-year-old will join up with Guardiola’s side at the Etihad once the current MLS season finishes, with his current deal at Sporting Kansas expiring.
Speaking about his impending exit, current coach Peter Vermes said:
“He came to us and said there might be an opportunity. I said to him, if that’s what you want to do then we’ll support you. He’s played out his contract. It’s happened with other guys. It’s just one of those situations.”
Palmer-Brown has managed 16 league appearances for Sporting Kansas, spending a season on-loan in Portugal at Porto’s ‘B’ team in 2016 where he helped them triumph in the LigaPro second division.