New Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola had earlier mentioned that he had chosen to start with youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho to start in the all-important derby placing his trust in the Nigerian forward. The 19-year-old did not disappoint as he provided an assist and scored a goal which proved to be too much for the Red Devils. The former Barcelona coach spoke that he could have chosen other to lead the attack instead of Iheanacho, but choosing the youngster sent a clear message to the rest of the team.
“He was the only striker we had in that moment,” he spoke to Manchester Evening News.
“I thought about many other options – but I thought in the beginning to show to my players that I came to win the game.”
Midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne opened the scoring via a Iheanacho assist before the Nigerian forward, doubled the lead of the Citizens. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back before the break due to an error made by defender John Stones and new goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. The second half remained goalless as Manchester City won the first Manchester Derby of the season, also the first defeat in an official game for Jose Mourinho as Machester United manager.
“I’ve conceded many goals against Mourinho’s teams on the counter-attack because his teams are really good in that part of the game,” Pep Guardiola further added.
“But in the first half we controlled it, we conceded maybe one or two counter-attacks, no more.
“It’s really good. We defended the set-pieces well because they are stronger and taller than us and we defended really good.” Pep Guardiola concluded.
The Citizens are on top of the Premier League table with a perfect win record and the Spanish coach has a lot of faith in his young attacker, in the absence of some of his other big names.
New Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola had earlier mentioned that he had chosen to start with youngster, Kelechi Iheanacho to start in the all-important derby placing his trust in the Nigerian forward. The 19-year-old did not disappoint as he provided an assist and scored a goal which proved to be too much for the Red Devils. The former Barcelona coach spoke that he could have chosen other to lead the attack instead of Iheanacho, but choosing the youngster sent a clear message to the rest of the team.
“He was the only striker we had in that moment,” he spoke to Manchester Evening News.
“I thought about many other options – but I thought in the beginning to show to my players that I came to win the game.”
Midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne opened the scoring via a Iheanacho assist before the Nigerian forward, doubled the lead of the Citizens. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back before the break due to an error made by defender John Stones and new goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. The second half remained goalless as Manchester City won the first Manchester Derby of the season, also the first defeat in an official game for Jose Mourinho as Machester United manager.
“I’ve conceded many goals against Mourinho’s teams on the counter-attack because his teams are really good in that part of the game,” Pep Guardiola further added.
“But in the first half we controlled it, we conceded maybe one or two counter-attacks, no more.
“It’s really good. We defended the set-pieces well because they are stronger and taller than us and we defended really good.” Pep Guardiola concluded.
The Citizens are on top of the Premier League table with a perfect win record and the Spanish coach has a lot of faith in his young attacker, in the absence of some of his other big names.
