FA Cup: Manchester City deserve to be at Wembley – Guardiola

The Mancunian did not give it up against his first club – just as he will not do against the red side of Manchester this coming weekend as he and his team-mates seek to rescue Boro’s ailing league campaign against Mourinho’s men.

Guardiola said: “I think Conte’s cupboard is full enough and they couldn’t fit any more in, so they chose to give it to somebody else!”

“I know how my standard has been set by winning titles, and I know what is on my shoulders”. He has a big personality and this season, he is helping me by playing top, top football’. That is what I have to try to convince my players of.

Another header from Gestede drifted over the bar a minute later in his final contribution before an injury forced him off to be replaced by the former City forward Alvaro Negredo.

City were always going to win this, we knew that when we saw the team sheet.

Pep Guardiola expects the incentive of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals to conquer any tiredness as Manchester City head to Monaco this week. So I have to handle that. I think when the team is stable the central defenders are much better and so it depends on everybody.

Guardiola realises the coming week is critical.

From there, history could be made, and Toure says that Guardiola has enough talent in the squad at his disposal to achieve something special.

We produced a good performance today.

He added: “When that happens, he will decide”.

Guardiola admits captain Vincent Kompany is itching to get back into action after a recent spell out with a knee injury.

Middlesbrough were toothless in attack, but Monaco have already given City a warning of their ability to put the ball in the net and the French outfit will take advantage if Guardiola’s team prove as erratic at the back in midweek.

Guzan was off his line quickly to smother a chance for Sane just after the hour mark as City looked to kill the game off, while the American made two more excellent saves from Silva and Sane.

“It’s very hard to build solid defensive partnerships – it is something that takes a lot of time as you need to get into a routine and build trust”.

Guardiola said in jest: “He has a licence for that vehicle!”