Manchester City put five goals past West Ham in the first game of their league title defence but the former Barcelona manager was still not delighted with his team’s performance.
The champions made short work of Manuel Pellegrini’s side thanks to a Raheem Sterling’s hat-trick, along with strikes from Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero.
But while Guardiola was happy with the result, he felt the opposite with the performance.
“In terms of results, yes [I’m happy],” he is quoted by mancity.com
“[In terms of performance] No.
“In the first half we were sloppy in the precision and accuracy of our passes. But that’s normal. I knew it, we talked about it.
“The rhythm was not there but that’s normal for the first game. In the second half we were better, we were more calm, we played extra passes. After we went 3-0 up the game was over.
“But I cannot deny it, I’m delighted to win 5-0 away from home in the first game. We finished last season by winning 14 games in a row. It’s 15 now unbeaten so it’s good.”
Sterling started the encounter has a winger but ended the game by taking home the match ball for his three well-taken goals. Guardiola insists the 24-year-old is becoming a better goalscorer because he learns from past mistakes.
“Since we started this season in China and the Community Shield he has scored one goal minimum every game.
“On the first day he played striker and for me striker will be an incredible position for him. He can play in three positions up front.
“They are incredibly talented players but they need the group, they need the team. When the team takes a step forward he plays better.
“But I know the special quality of the player, the consistent physicality and the finishing.”
“The control was not good for the second goal but the finish was good,” he explained.
“The third goal was really good, a much better one-against-one situation than against Liverpool.
“He missed against Allison but he learned from that and that is nice to see how a 24-year-old can learn from it and become more clinical.
“That’s why he scored a hat-trick.”
