Pep Guardiola managed to strike a balance between congratulating and warning his Manchester City players after their 3-0 win over West Ham United on Saturday took them provisionally to the top of the Premier League.
“I said to the players: ‘Merry Christmas, but it won’t be enough if you don’t improve,’” the Spaniard said. «It’s good to be there (in first place in the rankings), but I’m telling you we have to improve our game.»
Erling Haaland scored a double, while Tijjani Reijnders also scored in City’s eighth consecutive league victory, a period in which City continued to gain ground on Arsenal.
But Guardiola, the perfectionist, was quick to point out the negatives and temper his praise.
«I’m so happy: we are in a good position and close to the top of the league… but what will determine the team is how we improve. Today it was clear that we were not in the right place and that we have to improve.»
«We will be there. If they follow me, we will be there. I know the level in this Premier League, I know Arsenal, I know the other teams, and I know how strong they are. It’s not enough.»
City’s final game of 2025 at the Etihad was significantly better than last season, when the last two home games of 2024 were a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United and a 1-1 draw against Everton.
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The team’s spirit and hunger – qualities Guardiola said he lacked last season – have returned.
«The spirit is there. Last season they didn’t have that – the spirit, the aggression and the hunger – all these qualities that they need,» he said. “It comes from within.”
The City boss praised Haaland, whose brace gave him 104 goals in 114 league appearances, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s 103 goals in England’s top flight. Haaland reached the milestone in less than half the time it took Ronaldo.
“Thank you Erling, of course I always have to thank him for the goals,” Guardiola said.
He also praised academy graduates Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly for their strong performances, but stressed that technical sharpness remained a concern. He also lamented that he felt not enough chances had been created, despite City’s 19 shots to West Ham’s eight.
«We have to improve the way we played with the ball. Otherwise it won’t be enough to arrive in March and April and be a contender to win the title,» he said.
Published on December 21, 2025
