'Madrid gave me signals' - Pep Guardiola gives verdict on Man City title hopes

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about a big week for his team as they look to challenge in all competitions

Pep Guardiola was a happy man as Manchester City left Selhurst Park despite admitting they are still 'not ready' to be where they want to be. More improvement from the Blues saw them pick up a second big away win in a week and stay two points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.

City's manager saw at the Bernabeu that his new team still had work to do to find the right strategy for every game, but could have few complaints as they picked up an impressive win regardless. And with just one change to the team at Crystal Palace with Jeremy Doku injured, the performance in South London was a 'big statement' that leaves City far closer to what they want to achieve than the position they found themselves in last year.

"It was a really difficult game, we knew it but we prepared really well after a tough game emotionally in Madrid. I'm really pleased for many things happening in the locker room," he said. Many things we have to improve and Madrid gave me a lot of signals that we are still not ready - not in terms of mentality but in terms of how we have to approach certain games.

"Some players are young. Of course we are really pleased because I know how tough [Palace] are. To make 0-3 here is a great statement for us. From experience when you win in the past you believe the past was always perfect - always brilliant, always red carpets, always easy.

"When we won 100 points and all the titles that I won't name because it would be boring and too late to go home to sleep, we had a lot of games like today and the resilience was part of that. Every plan from every manager wants to do the best but there are moments where you struggle.

"Madrid was not a perfect game and not who we have to be to win important things but it is a step that we were there and we fought with five in the back or whatever happened. We fought unbelievably to achieve that. That builds something for that and after we will see. We are in a better position than last season, we are close and this is what we have to continue to do."