War of Wards Reignited: Guardiola humiliates Mourinho in unique fashion
Sep 18, 2016 at 3:22 PM
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola took a thinly veiled swipe at old rival Jose Mourinho after watching his side thrash Bournemouth 4-0 in a classy performance.
The excellent Kevin De Bruyne started the rout and Kelechi Iheanacho doubled the hosts’ lead before half-time, before second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan put the game beyond doubt.
Guardiola and Mourinho had recently appeared to have buried the hatchet after a bitter history of media jibes and ugly touchline clashes.
However, the former Barcelona and Bayern manager seemingly couldn’t resist a sly dig at the Portuguese for old times’ sake after his side moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
“Bournemouth are the best side we have faced this season,” Guardiola told BBC Radio Five Live, adding that his side’s other opponents thus far had “just used the long ball.”
City, who have won every game under Guardiola so far, triumphed 2-1 over United at Old Trafford last weekend, the visitors putting on a first-half masterclass of flowing attacking football.
United and Mourinho faced heavy criticism for their lacklustre showing and were accused of an over-reliance on the physical strength of big men Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Despite the build-up to the derby clash centring around the two managers’ volatile relationship, the pair conducted themselves with uncharacteristic grace and courtesy.
Guardiola literally won the first battle in his latest rivalry with Mourinho in an enthralling derby at Old Trafford.
A 2-1 win looked capable of being far more emphatic as Manchester City threatened to run away with it in the first half.
A Zlatan Ibrahimovic-inspired fight back from Manchester United made it an edgier affair than it might have been – but this was a resounding statement from Guardiola against one of his main title rivals.
Mourinho gambled on Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – leaving England under 21 hero Marcus Rashford on the bench.
In short, it was a disaster, with the United manager admitting he wanted to make three substitutions after 20 minutes.
Guardiola, meanwhile, started with Kelechi Iheanacho up front as a statement of intent.
The teenage striker went on to score the winner.
By the time Rashford entered the action in the second half, the game was already won.