Beating Stoke 7-2 Was My Best Performance As Manchester Coach - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has expressed his joy after his side thumped Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach has labeled the emphatic win" his best performance" since moving to the Etihad Stadium last season.

Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva and David Silva were all on the score. Including Kyle Walker who scored an own goal.

Manchester City welcomed back Sergio Aguero But he was an unused substitute.

While speaking after the game, Pep said:

“Always you can do better but I cannot deny today was the best performance since I arrived here,” said Pep.

“We played quick and simple. Everyone wants touches and gives us an extra pass. We have quality in the middle and with wingers

“I’m very pleased with the win and big congratulations to my players.”

When asked why his side had been scoring by blowing teams away this season, he said: “What has changed since last year? We know each other better, I know my players and I know the Premier League and how to damage the opposition.

"We did a great performance. Last season against Everton we didn’t win despite having two penalties - now our confidence is so high and everybody believes that we will score.

“Beating Liverpool 5-0 was important for our confidence and we knew if we managed to win these games at home we will be top and we had to start well after the international break to stay top of the league.”

Guardiola also had special praise for Kevin De Bruyne who was superb from start to finish against Stoke.

He said: “Kevin didn’t score but he is so dynamic and understands the game. He makes the right pass with tempo when he has the ball close to the area, his team-mates know the ball is coming.

“I am a spectator as well as a manager and I enjoy watching him play.

“He is a big talented player. He moves into positions that are so difficult for our opponents. But all the team was good today - to score seven goals you need that.

"I am here to win, not for entertainment. I want to win. Even when we didn’t win last season, I wanted to improve your ideas but I’m here to win - but the way we want to play is like today.

“We scored seven against Stoke and of course, I am pleased as our fans enjoyed it.

On Tuesday, we face one of the best teams in Europe right now and we need the supporters on Tuesday -  we need to win to step towards qualification.

“We conceded two but we scored seven and created so many chances and that is what we want to do.  We are happy we are able to do this.”