Pep Guardiola likened Bernardo Silva’s performance against Bournemouth to that of Lionel Messi following Manchester City’s comfortable win against the Cherries on Saturday.
The Portuguese recorded his name on the score sheet for the first time since mid September with a brace as Man City put six goals past Bournemouth who are currently placed 17th in the league standings.
Silva prior to this game had last scored for Man City in mid September when City beat West Ham 3-1 at the London Stadium, but when asked if the Portuguese is one for the best players in the Premier League or Europe, Guardiola who won 14 trophies with Messi while at Barcelona said; “In the world. I said that many times.
“He made a good shot from a short corner and then after the first goal, the action for the second, with the chipping, looks like Messi. I remembered, in that moment, Messi did that many times.
“Maybe that’s too much of a compliment to him! But he deserves it.”
Silva bagged a brace, but the player who shown throughout the game was Jeremy Doku. The Belgian was unplayable on Saturday! He opened the scoring for City in the first half when Bournemouth’s defence had proved to be impenetrable, before providing four assists that included both Silva’s goals.
Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji were the other players that benefitted from Doku’s brilliance.
The Belgian’s display ensured Man City cruised past Bournemouth as they reclaimed the top of the Premier League table.
Man City’s return to the top was supposed to be for only hours, but after Arsenal’s 1-0 controversial defeat to Newcastle later in the day, Guardiola’s team will stay atop for at least more 24 hours as Tottenham play on Monday.
Ange Postecoglu’s men face misfiring Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday night.
