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Pep Guardiola hailed David Silva as ‘one of the best players’

Monday, August 26th, 2019 00:00 |
Manchester City’s manager Pep Guardiola (right) embraces Spanish midfielder David Silva following their English Premier League match at Bournemouth yesterday. Photo/AFP

Bournemouth, Sunday

Pep Guardiola hailed David Silva as “one of the best players” he has ever seen after the Spanish midfielder inspired Manchester City’s 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Sunday.

City captain Silva was involved in all three goals as the champions clinched their second Premier League win of the season.

The 33-year-old’s assists for Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling underlined how much he will be missed when he leaves City at the end of the campaign.

City boss Guardiola was quick to salute Silva’s masterclass on his 400th appearance for the club.

“He played incredibly well. David in this kind of game with a defence so deep and with such few spaces is so good. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever seen,” Guardiola said.

Sterling’s clinical strike took the City winger to six goals in four appearances this term and Guardiola praised the 24-year-old’s latest crucial contribution. “We didn’t create so many chances today, but Raheem is still scoring goals, which is good for us,” he said.

City had to ride their luck at times as Ederson made several fines saves for the visitors before they wrapped up a win that took them to second place,  two points behind leaders Liverpool.

“It was a tough game, we knew it would be. We have seven points. We should have nine, but it’s OK,” Guardiola said.

 Newcastle secured a huge win over Tottenham in the Premier League to open their account for the season and under Steve Bruce. 

Joelinton scored the only goal of the game in the first half, notching his first strike for the Magpies since his £40m move from Hoffenheim as Newcastle won 1-0. 

Bruce was under pressure after losing the opening two games of the term, but the result will alleviate the strain. 

His side put forward a defensive masterclass to frustrate Spurs, who never looked like breaching Martin Dubravka’s net. 

Mauricio Pochettino’s men were below-par in the final third throughout the contest and were unable to conjure the piece of magic to penetrate Newcastle’s defensive wall. It’s an early setback for a team that are supposed title contenders. -Agencies

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