Pep Guardiola Breathes Sigh Of Relief In 500th Game As Man City Returns To Winning Ways

Manchester City celebrated Pep Guardiola’s 500th game as boss with a 2-0 victory over lowly Leicester City, but the manager was more relieved than rapturous at what has of late become the rare taste of victory.

Guardiola’s struggling team secured their first victory in five league matches, moving up to provisional fifth place in the Premier League.

However, they remain significantly behind leaders Liverpool, who are ahead by 11 points and have two games in hand over the reigning champions.

“Just relief word to express how all of us feel. We have done incredible things, and now we struggle to win games, so now it’s just relief,” Guardiola said.

“We needed it. All of us. It was not the ideal performance, but hopefully, the victories will give our mood a better position.

“For the result, we have to do something. If you don’t perform, the results won’t come. Now, in the position we are in, the results are the most important thing, to get points and help our minds. We have another game at home next and many good things happened today.”

Brazilian Savinho scored his first goal in a City shirt during the first half. The team then fended off several close chances from Leicester before Erling Haaland added another goal to give the visitors some breathing room.

Haaland Gains Confidence

The goal was also a much-needed confidence boost for Haaland, who had managed to score only twice in his last eight league matches during the toughest period of his Premier League career.

“Sometimes Erling has been judged badly but it’s part of football,” Guardiola said.

“He’s tired, he’s played a lot of minutes. He’s become a father for the first time in the last few days, a lot of emotions and an exciting few days for him.”

Haaland pointed out that his team does not have a game now until Saturday when they host West Ham United, making for a rare few days off in what has been a grueling stretch of games.

“It has been a difficult time. Things happen, and we have to keep going; we have to stay positive and focus on the right things.” Haaland said.

“Now it’s New Year, so don’t think too much about football … I think it’s the longest time in a pretty long period, and now we can rest a little bit and go again.”