Despite securing a 4-1 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad on Saturday, Pep Guardiola has warned that Manchester City are far from their best, pinpointing several weaknesses in his team’s recent performances. While the defending Premier League champions extended their winning streak to two games, Pep Guardiola remains dissatisfied with the team’s overall display, signaling that City has not yet regained the imperious form that they have been known for in recent seasons.
In what was a game that featured a mix of moments of brilliance and periods of complacency, Pep Guardiola was quick to stress that, while he was pleased with the result, the team’s performance left much to be desired. Despite a convincing scoreline, the match was anything but straightforward, with West Ham having the best chances in the opening stages and City struggling with composure and fluency throughout.
This article delves into Pep Guardiola’s concerns despite City’s victory, what he believes is lacking in his team, and how they might improve moving forward to reclaim their best form.
A Mixed Performance: City’s 4-1 Win Over West Ham
The Opening Stages: West Ham’s Early Pressure
The match between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Etihad was anything but straightforward, with the visitors initially putting City under significant pressure. In the first ten minutes, West Ham had the best opportunities to take the lead, creating several clear-cut chances that were either thwarted by City’s defence or missed by the West Ham attackers.
This early dominance from the visitors was a worrying sign for Pep Guardiola, who has always emphasized the importance of his team starting games with intensity and control. However, the game turned in City’s favour when a fortuitous own goal from Vladimir Coufal gave the defending champions the lead. The goal came from a mishit clearance that inadvertently found the back of the net, but it was a fortunate break for City, who had not yet found their rhythm.
Despite the early nervy moments, Erling Haaland doubled the advantage with a well-taken header, converting a superb cross from Savinho to make it 2-0. It was a moment of quality, but City‘s performance still left plenty to be desired. Haaland’s second goal and a tap-in from Phil Foden extended the lead to 4-0, but the game remained closer than the scoreline suggested, with West Ham refusing to give up.
West Ham’s Response: Fullkrug’s Consolation Goal
While West Ham was clearly outmatched for much of the game, Niclas Fullkrug managed to score a late goal for the visitors, reducing the deficit to 4-1. This goal was the result of some persistent play from West Ham, who, despite their recent heavy defeats, showed glimpses of resilience.
The goal served as a reminder that Manchester City, despite their dominance on the scoreboard, were still vulnerable at the back and lacking the sharpness and composure that has been characteristic of their play in previous seasons.
Pep Guardiola’s Post-Match Reflection: “We Are Not at Our Level”
A Manager’s Candid Assessment
After the game, Pep Guardiola was quick to point out that, despite the victory, Manchester City were far from the standards they had set in previous seasons. Speaking to the media in his post-match press conference, Pep Guardiola made it clear that he was not entirely satisfied with the team’s overall performance, despite the scoreline.
“You judge the results,” Pep Guardiola began. “Our performance was not good. We saw in many years our level. We are not at our level.” While the 4-1 win was a positive result, Pep Guardiola felt that the team was still not playing the way they are capable of, even if the result suggested otherwise.
Guardiola’s comments reflect a deeper concern about City’s mentality and overall performance. Despite their obvious talent and the goals they scored, the lack of fluidity and composure during the game was troubling for the Spanish manager. He further emphasized, “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m so happy. I will sleep better until the FA Cup. But he asked if the old Manchester City and the way we play is back? No. You have to know it. You watched the games for years. We’re not at the level, come on.”
Lack of Composure and the Need for Improvement
In addition to acknowledging that Manchester City was not at their best, Guardiola pointed out the lack of composure that had plagued his team during the match. He mentioned how City was accelerating everything, not giving themselves enough time to control the game and manage the ball efficiently.
Guardiola’s frustration was evident as he reflected on the squad’s inability to sustain the high levels of consistency and calmness that had defined their previous title-winning campaigns. The “work ethic” was there, but the team lacked the necessary mental control and decision-making to truly dominate proceedings.
“There were glimpses of brilliance,” Guardiola said, acknowledging the flashes of quality throughout the match. However, he was unwilling to ignore the fact that, on the whole, Manchester City had not played to their usual standard.
Guardiola’s Focus on the Upcoming FA Cup Tie
Looking ahead, Guardiola’s main focus will be to continue building momentum as City prepares for their next fixture, a third-round FA Cup clash with Salford City. While the FA Cup is a competition where City will be expected to progress comfortably, Guardiola will be keen to use the match as an opportunity to address some of the issues that have been affecting his side’s performances.
“We’ve struggled with results recently, but the last two victories are good,” Guardiola remarked, referring to the back-to-back wins over Leicester and West Ham. While these wins are undoubtedly important, they have not hidden the fact that Manchester City still has significant room for improvement. The game against Salford City will offer a platform for Guardiola to fine-tune his team’s performances ahead of tougher challenges down the line.
West Ham’s Performance: A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Struggles
Julen Lopetegui’s Take on the Match
On the other side of the pitch, West Ham’s manager Julen Lopetegui was left reflecting on a much-improved performance compared to his team’s recent humiliating defeat to Liverpool. The 5-0 loss to Liverpool had left Lopetegui under intense pressure, but he praised his players for showing more character and resilience against Manchester City.
“The match today was very, very different [to Liverpool],” Lopetegui said. “We did not take advantage of our clear situations.” While the team ultimately lost, Lopetegui’s side demonstrated a much better defensive structure and a greater level of focus than they had shown in their recent thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.
The Road Ahead: City’s Search for Perfection
For Manchester City, the path ahead involves much more than just grinding out results. Guardiola is looking for his team to rediscover their fluidity, composure, and dominance that has made them one of Europe’s top clubs in recent years. Despite their 4-1 win over West Ham, the Premier League champions are still a long way off from playing at their best.
While the victory may have temporarily silenced some critics, Guardiola knows that Manchester City must continue to improve if they are to contend for the top honors both domestically and in Europe. The next few weeks, particularly the upcoming FA Cup tie and challenging league fixtures, will be crucial in determining whether Guardiola’s team can rediscover their best form or continue to fall short of expectations.
In summary, despite consecutive victories, Pep Guardiola remains worried about Manchester City’s lack of composure and their struggles to hit the heights that have made them one of the most feared teams in Europe. While results are important, Guardiola knows that the team needs to address several weaknesses if they are to mount a serious challenge for the biggest titles this season.
