Manchester City is back, Pep says happily

Pep Guardiola suggested Manchester City had bounced back after securing a 6-0 win at Ipswich this afternoon.

City entered the competition on a five-game unbeaten run following a woeful run of results before Christmas. But their level of performance was still well below the conquering form that has taken them to four successive Premier League titles.

That changed in Suffolk as the home side were blown away by a devastating display of attacking football. Phil Foden scored twice with Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and James McAtee all on the scoresheet with the six goals that lifted City to fourth in the table.

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Very happy Pep

Guardiola told Sky Sports: “We’re very happy, we’ve done things again that have defined this team for the last 10 years. Very happy for the three points and to get into the Champions League for next season, it will be very difficult.”

Asked to rate his side’s display, he added: “Much better. Maybe not the best, but closer to the consistency we have in our game. Most of them didn’t happen in the previous games we win

“With the way we went without the ball, you can’t play in short spaces. Everyone on the ball was smart, faster, faster. Everyone is related. You can’t be fast, smart and good if you’re not defensively connected.

“Ipswich beat Chelsea here, they beat Spurs away. They’re a good team and Liam (Delap) is a fantastic striker. The players saw what we are and that’s the best thing.”

‘You have to enjoy it’

City have endured a difficult season and are all but out of the title race as they sit 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, with Guardiola stressing the need to enjoy themselves as they eye a strong finish to the campaign.

He added: “They (the players) know the standards and they know what they’ve done in the past. It’s not about winning or losing, you have to enjoy it.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a professional or an amateur. You can be in the best theater in London or a theater in Sheffield and the people of Sheffield will love it and come back smiling.”

Foden was named man of the match after his second consecutive brace following his two goals at Brentford in midweek.

He told the club’s website: “It’s good to see me back scoring goals and with a smile on my face and enjoying my football. I’ve had a few goals recently and I want to go on now and add to that.

“It seemed that everything had changed in front of the goal. I think I’ve been a bit unlucky before these goals that I’ve been scoring with a few chances.

“If I can keep getting into the box with these players we have, they will keep finding me. I’m happy to keep scoring.”