Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has hailed the performance of Riyad Mahrez in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Chelsea, describing his quality as “everything”.
The Algeria international found the back of the net twice via a free-kick and penalty as the Citizens trashed the Blues 4-0 in the third round of the cup competition.
Mahrez’s goal made him the first player to score in three games against Chelsea in the same season since Javier Hernandez for Manchester United during the 2012-13 season.
The 31-year-old has also had a hand in 200 goals in English football since joining Leicester City in 2014 (119 goals, 81 assists).
200 – Riyad Mahrez now now been directly involved in 200 goals for English clubs:
179 apps | 48 goals | 36 assists – @LCFC
211 apps | 71 goals | 45 assists – @ManCityOutput. pic.twitter.com/cE1bYBETuf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 8, 2023
“The quality of Riyad is everything. He loves to play football, he helped us to play the game,” Guardiola said on the club website.
“It was really good. It was a fantastic free-kick. He played an outstanding game.
“He never lost his love. He loves to play football. The way he is training now and playing was exactly the same in Abu Dhabi. Riyad in important games is fantastic.
“The last game he didn’t start at Stamford Bridge and the impact he had was incredible. When they play in this way, and maybe complain [about not playing every game] I say ‘yes, you’re right’.
“Before, he cannot complain because he wasn’t playing at the level he is now. It’s not just about quality, it’s more in football, you have to do more.
“[But] now since we came back for World Cup, he is playing really, really well.”
Man City will face the winner of Monday night’s clash between Oxford United and Arsenal in the fourth round scheduled for January 28.
The Citizens will turn their attention next to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday where they face Southampton.
