Saturday 17 September 2016 19:53, UK
Pep Guardiola was delighted Man City were able to beat Bournemouth, a side he thinks are the best his team have faced so far this season.
City maintained their 100 per cent start to the Premier League by beating the Cherries 4-0 at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, their eighth successive win in all competitions, an unprecedented feat for the club at the start of a season.
However, despite the one-sided scoreline at full time, Guardiola was adamant the visitors had provided his players with their sternest examination so far this season.
"We won after the Champions League, which is not easy, we had problems with our high pressing in some moments, but in general the qualities of the Man City players has made the difference," said Guardiola.
"We have many injuries like David [Silva] and Fabian Delph, but OK the team was ready again and we won.
"I think Bournemouth are a very good team and the team who with the ball played better [than anybody else] against us. I saw against West Ham, [Man] United and in other games too that when you let them have the ball and play, they have quality.
"They have a striker like [Josh] King, who is amazing, strong and they win all their duels, their wingers are so fast and their full backs as well, especially [Adam] Smith.
"They have quality and when we let them play, they have a lot, a lot, a lot of quality. But sometimes we were aggressive and we won the balls in a dangerous position for them and we could use good counterattacks to make clear chances."
Guardiola also had special praise for man-of-the-match Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian opened the scoring with a clever free-kick and then had a hand in City's three other goals, including creating their last for Ilkay Gundogan on his Premier League debut
"Kevin is an outstanding player, a player on another level," he said. "He understands the game, is physical, strong and helps us out defensively.
"He is aggressive without the ball, but especially with the ball it is clear he knows already everything, he sees absolutely everything and in front of the goal he scores and makes assists.
"So we are who we are and we are so, so lucky we have Kevin with us."
There was more good news for City after the return of captain Vincent Kompany following a long-term groin problem, with the centre back taking his place on the substitutes' bench.
"Hopefully Vincent in the next few days will start to play and make his first steps and hopefully he can help us," Guardiola said.
"Of course we knew in three or four days we have to play the Carling Cup and after Swansea away, then the Champions League and White Hart Lane.
"So we need all of the squad to compete in all the competitions."
In fact, the only blot on City's copybook was Nolito's late sending-off after the Spain forward head-butted Bournemouth defender Adam Smith, a punishment Guardiola had no complaints about.
"The referee saw the action and you have to accept it," he said.
