Striker saluted after scoring in 5-0 win at Cardiff on 300th appearance for club
Sunday 23 September 2018 09:37, UK
Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City side reached the levels of last season's title-winning exploits during the 5-0 win over Cardiff, which saw Sergio Aguero score in his 300th appearance for the club.
City responded to their midweek Champions League defeat to Lyon in style, with Aguero opening the scoring at Cardiff with his 205th goal in 300 games, a day after he penned a one-year contract extension.
"He is an authentic legend," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "It's important what he has done at this club and hopefully we will have him for longer and he stays in a good position."
Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan went on to extend City's lead before the break, while Riyad Mahrez scored his first goals in sky blue with a second-half double.
"The level today was the level of last season," Guardiola added. "We cannot forget the Champions League, the opponents are good too, we knew that. It's part of the process.
"The season is long, there are a lot of games to play. After one not good result, the team came back where it normally is.
"Of course we are more confident at 0-3 than 0-0, to score goals you have to be patient and let the game speak for itself.
"This kind of thing happens, we were patient, we didn't suffer with the long balls and free-kicks, that's always important."
Guardiola also praised the "special talent" of Mahrez, with the Algerian coming off the bench to score two goals and seal an emphatic victory.
"He played good," Guardiola said. "He's a guy who is going to help us a lot because he is a special talent and in front of the box he has an incredible quality. We are so satisfied."
