'Way We Played With The Ball Has To...': Guardiola Calls On Players To Escalate Game As City Remain Hot On Gunners' Heels

Manchester City registered a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to briefly take the top spot in the English top-flight before Mikel Arteta’s men managed a 1-0 win over Everton on the road to reclaim the Numero Uno spot in the Premier League ahead of Christmas.

Haaland netted on either side of a Tijjani Reijnders goal to help the former champions over the line in comfortable fashion, but Guardiola urged his players to improve if they are to challenge Arsenal for the title.

“I’m happy, I cannot deny that, we are fourth in the Champions League and in the semi-finals of the League Cup, but the way we played with the ball we have to improve,” he said.

“Otherwise, it will not be enough to arrive in March and April to be contenders

to win titles.

“I want to be honest. I said to the players, ‘Merry Christmas everyone but it will not be enough if we don’t improve’.”

City opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute of the game and it seemed as thought the Hammer were in for a long night, but Guardiola noted further areas of improvement.

“In the first half we controlled the game but even with that we were not in the right places to create and we talked about that. We had to create more chances to be solid,” he said.

“In the second half when they made a step up we continued to play not good. We did not do the right process to do what we have to do.

“If they had scored to make it 2-1, West Ham would have made it 2-2.”

The Catalan gaffer lauded Haalan’d contribution to the team and touched up on the impact he brought to the and alongside Phil Fodedn and Nico Riley.

“There were many good things. Offensively, Erling. I always have to thank Erling for the goals but today thanks to him and Phil and Nico they helped us to do this type of game,” he said.

“Defensively we are improving. We are visualising it with the ball.”