Guardiola and Kane win monthly Premier League awards

Beaten by David Silva with barely two minutes gone, Guzan made a series of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay both before and after Sergio Aguero doubled his side’s lead with 67 minutes gone, although his heroics came as no surprise to Karanka. Manchester City’s manager does not care much for consensus, compromise or pragmatism and his barely contained post-match excitement at Middlesbrough reflected the Catalan’s belief that his philosophy is, once again, being vindicated.

The Monaco game is the middle match of a big week for City, which started well with the FA Cup win over Middlesbrough and culminates with a crucial Premier League clash with top-four rivals Liverpool next Sunday.

Pep Guardiola has reached a semi-final in all eight of his seasons in senior club management.

Striker Gabriel Jesus, who broke his foot last month, was seen out shopping on a mobility scooter this week.

Yaya Toure fed Pablo Zabaleta on the right flank with a defence-splitting pass and the Argentine defender drove a flawless ball across the face of goal for Silva to shoot home from close range.

His most recent attempt at squad rotation failed when Guardiola chose to start Wednesday’s Premier League home game against Stoke without his two best creative players.

“When you attack good, you defend good”. Clichy 6, Sane 8 (Nolito 6), Toure 7 (Fernando 6), De Bruyne 7, Silva 8, Sterling 7.

Aitor Karanka hints that he left Stewart Downing and Patrick Bamford out of Middlesbrough’s squad to face Manchester City because they lacked the fighting spirit. To go with the two away draws in the EFL Cup.

The final score could have been more.

Every possible pressure is definitely on Aitor Karanka’s side, who entered the FA Cup quarterfinals following a win against Oxford United.

The former Real Madrid coach was berated by fans during this game for being inactive in the technical area – he spent virtually the entire 90 minutes with his hands in his pockets – while Pep Guardiola constantly issued instructions and motivation to his City players.

City fans have not forgotten Alvaro Negredo.