Pep Guardiola hails win over Leicester as one of his best as Manchester City boss

Sergio Aguero scored four to take his tally to 13 in 10 in 2018

Sergio Aguero scored four in the rout (Getty)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed the outstanding quality of Sergio Aguero’s finishing after his four goals inspired the Premier League leaders to an emphatic 5-1 victory over Leicester City.

Aguero took his tally to 13 in 10 games in 2018 with another display of clinical finishing as City went 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of rivals Manchester United, who face Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Argentina international now has 28 goals in all competitions this season – eight more than Raheem Sterling who also got on the scoresheet against the Foxes.

“Sergio has an amazing talent in the box,” Guardiola said. “So we try to create a lot of chances to score the goals he does, and he always does. Congratulations to him because it's not easy to score four goals.

“When one player is able to score four goals, he deserves all the credit and the nice words. He fights, he plays really good and he scored. We needed it. It was difficult to play them in the first half with them playing a 5-4-1, but in the second half we found more space with the wingers. In general it was a good performance against a good team.”

Leicester had equalised through Jamie Vardy after Sterling’s opening goal before City took command of the game thanks to Aguero, whose second two goals – an audacious chip and a powerful strike from the edge of the box - were particularly eye-catching.

And Guardiola admits the win was “one of the best” performances his players have produced since he took over at the Etihad Stadium but urged them not to let their intensity drop.

“My advice for the players is not to think how many games are left, just to look to the next one,” Guardiola added. “Every time we dropped points this season, the next game we won, which is so, so important. Keeping that consistency is so important for us. If we are able to win the title it will be something special for us.

“I cannot deny the distance for the next one. Today is 16, Sunday maybe United is going to win and 13 points. Still a lot to play. I don’t know what is going to happen. So far we have 72 points in February so it is a lot. So far I cannot say was so good but we have to wait for Vincent (Kompany) to lift the trophy. To be admired, to be loved, to give credit, you have to win the title.”

Leicester manager Claude Puel brought Riyad Mahrez off the bench in the second half as the winger made his first appearance since a self-imposed exile following the collapse of a deadline day transfer to City.

And Puel claimed both he and the Algeria international will focus their efforts on the rest of the season without any issues.

“I said before my last press conference it was important he for him to come back quick,” Puel said. “He maintained a good level and it was important he was back in the squad. We have lost time and now it is important to look forward. The transfer window is finished.

“Since the beginning of the transfer window we took a decision with the club, to protect the squad. Riyad came back, and he is an important player.

“We must forget this result and have a good focus now on the Premier League. I think we will not often play a team good like this.”