Pep Guardiola delivered a blunt reality check to his Manchester City squad, warning that their current performances are insufficient for trophy success, despite a commanding 3-0 victory over West Ham United that propelled them to the Premier League summit.
A Victory Overshadowed by Criticism
The match at the Etihad Stadium on December 20th, 2025, appeared a straightforward affair on the scoreboard. Erling Haaland opened the scoring after just five minutes, with midfielder Tijjani Reijnders adding a second before half-time. Haaland then sealed the points with his second goal late on, capitalising on poor West Ham defending.
However, the comprehensive scoreline masked periods where David Moyes's side created clear opportunities, a fact not lost on the City manager. Guardiola, speaking to the Manchester Evening News, was far from satisfied, focusing intently on his team's possession and positional play.
Guardiola's Stern Post-Match Message
"I'm happy, we are top of the league, in the Champions League and semi-finals of the Carabao Cup but the way we played with the ball we have to improve," Guardiola stated. "Otherwise, it will not be enough to arrive in March and April to be contenders to win titles."
He emphasised that while he was grateful for the contributions of goalscorers Haaland and Phil Foden, as well as youngster Nico O'Reilly, the team's overall fluidity was lacking. "I want to be honest with myself," he continued. "I said to the players, Merry Christmas for everyone but it will not be enough if we don't improve. It will not improve."
The Path Forward for the Champions
Guardiola acknowledged the positive spirit and hunger now present in the squad—attributes he felt were missing last season—and expressed confidence that City "will be there" in the title race if the players follow his guidance. Yet, he stressed the need for immediate improvement, citing the high standards set by rivals like Arsenal and top European clubs.
He also pointed to an injury list that has tested the squad's depth, mentioning the absence of key figures such as Rodri, Jeremy Doku, Mateo Kovacic, and Omar Marmoush. The reliance on academy players on the bench, while commendable, highlighted the need for the entire group to elevate their tactical understanding.
"The positional game will define the team," Guardiola asserted. "Today it was not good." His comments serve as a clear signal that even a dominant win and top spot in the Premier League table are no cause for complacency at Manchester City, with the manager demanding more as the crucial spring months approach.
