IPSWICH: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his team is back to their old ways after thrashing Ipswich Town 6-0 and moving into the top four of the Premier League.
City put their woes of the past two months behind them with Phil Foden scoring twice and assisting another, while Erling Haaland also found the target to put them in fourth place on 38 points.
“We are very happy, we are back doing what has been the foundation of this team for the last 10 years. Happy with the three points and being in the Champions League qualification for next season,” said Guardiola.
The Spanish manager was impressed with his team’s performance after a disappointing period over Christmas.
“Better, maybe not our best but close to what we are used to in the game. Everyone is smarter, faster with the ball. Everyone is connected. You can’t be fast, smart and good if you don’t connect defensively,” he said.
For Ipswich, who remain in 18th place on 16 points, the heavy defeat was a valuable lesson for them.
“We didn’t execute our plan. They can’t be underestimated. It was always going to be tough, and we wanted to give it a fight – but we failed to do so.”
“We need to look at our mistakes and bounce back. The main thing is to learn from them, we can’t be too disappointed. There’s a lot of confidence in this group and this club,” said Ipswich defender Dara O’Shea.