22 December 2023 , 23:21
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Pep Guardiola insisted his Manchester City players are hungry for more success - despite their history-breaking year.
City lifted the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia with a ruthless demolition of the finest team in South America thanks to Julian Alvarez’s double, a goal from Phil Foden and Brazilian defender Nino’s own goal. It meant City became the first English club to win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, European Super Cup and Club World Cup in the same year.
And Guardiola said: “We got a lot of titles in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup, repeat of a lot of trophies It’s unbelievable what we have done. Today we celebrate on the plane, tomorrow rest
“Then we will buy a new book and start to write beautiful histories. The players out there are still hungry and motivated. I’m really pleased for many people who have been in the club for many years.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful day, I could never think when we arrived in Manchester we could do this and finish with the World Cup. When I close the chapter, this is for eight years of incredible work behind the scenes. All the titles you can win - and we have done it.”
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City have fallen six points behind Arsenal in their bid to win a fourth successive title - and are also trailing Liverpool and Aston Villa. They resume the defence of their trophy at Everton on Tuesday night - and it appeared they would be travelling to Goodison without Rodri after the lynchpin midfielder limped off close to tears with a knee injury following a reckless tackle by Alexsander.
But Rodri insists he will be fit. He said: “I almost cried after the tackle but I will be fine to play at Everton. There are no issues.”
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Rodri has said he'll be fit to face Everton (FIFA via Getty Images)Alvarez gave the Blues the perfect start with a predatory strike after just 40 seconds - and completed the rout in the dying minutes as City were forced to contend with some spiteful challenges and the 30 degree heat. Guardiola, who became the first manager to win four Club World Cups, said: ““All of them are special.
"I could say the first one in Barca was the most intense by far. That was incredible because Barca had lost the two previous ones. The first one is always special. Man City never won it and this is the first time we have participated.
“We won’t do a parade, but I said this trophy you will remember forever. It means you are the best team in one year in the world. It’s unique and special, it’s really cool.
“We were aggressive and scored early on, which helped us a lot. They had 15 minutes they were incredibly good. In the second half we adjusted something and it was much better. I am very pleased. I had a feeling we would close the chapter.”