Pep Guardiola admitted he is missing the presence of fans at games after watching his Manchester City side thrash Newcastle 5-0 at the Etihad.
City bounced back from a disappointing defeat at Southampton last weekend with an emphatic victory over the in-form Magpies, scoring five times without reply in a dominant display.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring by converting David Silva’s clever cut-back early on, before Riyad Mahrez doubled the host’s advantage after 21 minutes – the Algerian’s 10th league goal of the season meaning City became the first side in history to have five players reach double figures in a single Premier League campaign.
Federico Fernandez’s unfortunate own goal made it three, before Silva’s stunning free-kick and Raheem Sterling’s injury-time effort completed the rout for Guardiola’s side.
The Spaniard was pleased with his side’s display as they returned to winning ways in impressive style, whilst he was quick to praise the starring display of Silva who was making one of his final appearances for the club before leaving this summer.
“We played really good all the games but unfortunately dropped points. In general the way we are playing and the performances are really good,” Guardiola told BBC Sport.
“David Silva is a huge competitor, playing in the small spaces he is a fantastic player. He played really good.”
Guardiola also hailed his side’s attacking display after another comfortable home victory – City having now scored 17 goals without reply in just four home fixtures since the Premier League’s restart – though admits football ‘is not the same’ without the presence of the club’s supporters.
“Always we try to do it, for respect for the competition and our opponent. It is good to score five goals again. One point ahead to qualify for the Champions League.
“We miss the fans a lot. It is not the same. When the virus is weaker and it is safer to come back, we will see together.”
City next travel to face struggling Brighton this weekend, whilst Newcastle will be looking to bounce back when they visit Watford in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture.
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