Manchester City recorded a crucial four-goal victory at Craven Cottage on Saturday, ensuring they leapfrog Arsenal to claim pole position in the Premier League title race ahead of the Gunners’ trip to face Manchester United on Sunday.
Joško Gvardiol was the surprise hero, netting two goals to put Pep Guardiola’s side on course for a fourth consecutive league title – but the City boss slammed the Croatian’s defending in his post-match conference.
Embed from Getty Images‘In the second half, he didn’t play good and lost a lot: defending, many important things. Play so simple, that’s the most difficult thing. After, if he scores goals, it’s welcome – but it’s not his job.’
‘His job is to be a defender, play safe,’ Guardiola bemoaned.
The defender has contributed a number of crucial goals since his arrival at Etihad Stadium at the start of the season. Long-range strikes against the likes of Real Madrid and a skilful finish today perhaps demonstrate that the Croatian is capable of more than the typical defender – and Guardiola admitted that he only expected the 22-year-old to score ‘some headers and set pieces.’
