Pep Guardiola - 'We had to be patient.'

Guardiola said they had to be patient against Rafa Benitez's Everton.

Guardiola lauded his Cityzens after their superb display at the Etihad [BBC MOTD Screen Shot]

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed his Cityzens for how they did their job against Everton on Sunday.

The Premier League champions secured a 3-0 win over the Merseyside club, thanks to goals from Rajeev Sterling, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva at the Etihad.

The match against Rafa Benitez’s Toffees was the perfect warm-up City needed for their Champions League clash against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday. And, it was their third consecutive win in all competitions.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Guardiola asserted: "We played the game we should play, be patient but sometimes with rhythm, urgency in the first step. We had to be patient. 0-0 is a good result, we have time.

“The right moment arrives, sometimes it's 43 minutes and sometimes it's earlier, against one of the best managers in the world setting up really well.

"People say after 20 minutes Manchester City have to win 3-0 and it is a fairy tale. When one team does not play it is difficult. And in that time we had to continue with the idea - when you lose the ball don't let them counter attack. Today they did that perfectly. We are not top of the league but are close to them."

On youngsters playing, the Spaniard replied: "We don't give opportunities because they are academy. It is a business. We have a group in the academy that are so good. I love it because they gave you everything, they want to hit the wall and do everything.

"It is good for the young Mancunian players, it is so good. But they must be good otherwise they are not here. We have five or six players with good quality. When it's possible we can use them."

On Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking as Manchester United boss, Pep said: "Well Ole and myself we know we depend on results, when we don't win at big clubs, maybe the biggest club, I don't know, in terms of titles, with Manchester United. Of course, I wish him all the best, it was a pleasure to face him - he beat me many times. I'm pretty sure he will relax now and be back."

This was the 58th time Manchester City have won by three or more goals in the Premier League under Guardiola - at least 10 more than any other team since he took over the reigns at the Etihad.

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