The return of the ‘old Man City’? ‘Absolutely not’ says Guardiola

First consecutive wins since October. For the first time since August, he scored four goals in a Premier League game. Erling Haaland’s first league double since September.

Has Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of West Ham marked the return of the old Manchester City? ‘ Absolutely not ‘ according to boss Pep Guardiola.

The victory gives the reigning champions sixth place in the Premier League, just three points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest, and provides a welcome relief from the recent forgettable results.

When asked if the result was evidence that his team was returning to the form they were most used to seeing from them following a run of two victories out of ten games, the Spaniard was unambiguous in his response.

“No”, Guardiola, said. “You judge the results. Our performance was subpar. Our level has improved over the years. We are not at our level.

” Don’t misunderstand me. I’m so happy. I will sleep better until the FA Cup]tie against Salford on 11 January].

He then inquired as to whether the former Manchester City and our style of play were still present. No. You must be aware of it. You have spent years watching the games. We’re not at the level, come on.

Guardiola is a master of extremely challenging tasks.

When City were at the height of one of his eight and a half incredibly successful seasons at the club, he has led them on. His standards are high, and he has led them.

However, the soul-searching that has taken place over the past few weeks has been so thorough that it seemed fitting to celebrate a win that was close even if West Ham did have some respectable chances.

Guardiola was more eloquent about Brazilian winger Savinho, despite refuting that theory.

A £30m arrival from fellow City Football Group club Troyes last summer, the 20-year-old has endured an inconsistent debut campaign.

However, West Ham could not cope with his direct running. Coufal deflected a Savinho cross into his own goal, and another Haaland headed in for the second.

Guardiola gushed praise over Savinho’s delivery of the through ball that Haaland completed for City’s third.

” Having a left foot on the left side, like old fashioned vintage football, right in the right, left in the left, and these kinds of crosses helps the striker we have, “he said.

It was almost 1800 GMT when West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui turned up for his post-match media conference.

After a 5-0 home defeat to Liverpool with a further loss, journalists were beginning to question whether the former Spain and Real Madrid boss had been fired.

That proved not to be the case and, given Guardiola’s assessment, it was possible to have some sympathy with Lopetegui’s opinion that the contest was” hard to explain”.

” The match today was very, very different]to Liverpool], “he said”. We did not abuse our crystal clear situations, but Summerville did not let us down.