Pep Guardiola praises 'legend' Pablo Zabaleta after Watford goal

Pep Guardiola praised the "legend" Pablo Zabaleta after the Manchester City right-back opened the scoring in their 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday night.

Zabaleta struck the opener in the Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium, his first goal in more than two years, before David Silva sealed the win late on.

"He's our captain, he's a legend of this club and he's proving his character which helped us a lot to try and understand what we want to be. He was really good," Guardiola told Sky Sports after the game.

Guardiola admitted it wasn't his side's best display, but he was happy with the solidity of their side as they kept a rare clean sheet.

"We won after two games we didn't win, and we won again at home where we've had some problems in the last month," he said.

"In the first half we didn't concede any chances, we created not too many either because we had a lot of problems up front, but we controlled the game.

"Of course when we were 1-0 up because of what has happened in the past the players felt a little bit of pressure, but then Silva got the second.

"A clean sheet is important, to be solid behind gives confidence for the people in front."

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Guardiola expects to be without Ilkay Gundogan for "a long time" after the midfielder suffered suspected knee ligament damage in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Watford.

The 26-year-old German left the pitch visibly upset late in the first half after appearing to twist his knee in a tackle and will undergo tests on Thursday, but Guardiola admitted after the match that it did not look good.

"I'm so sad for Ilkay Gundogan as it looks like we'll be without him for a long time," the Catalan said. "We will know more [on Thursday]. It doesn't look good.

"We'll know the extent of the injury when he has been properly assessed by the doctor, but I think he may be out for some time."