David Moyes and Pep Guardiola look back on the key talking points from Sunday’s Stadium of Light showdown.
Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane had the final say as the Citizens claimed a 2-0 win, but the Black Cats were able to draw positives from an encouraging display against the title chasers.
Moyes on defeat: “I thought our players did a really good job of containing them and stopping them, while also creating some opportunities for ourselves. We’re not in the same league as far as budgets go and we’re nowhere near the top of the league, but I think you have to praise our players for their effort and commitment. We just lacked a bit of quality, which I’ve mentioned a few times, which is what makes the difference.”
Guardiola on win: “We are so happy. We played good. We expected aggression and intensity. It was a very good first goal. It was important to go into half-time 1-0 up. If they were winning with the amazing atmosphere it would have been difficult.”
Moyes on full-backs: "Billy played really well, up against Sane a very difficult opponent. I thought Billy and Bryan both did well. All in all, we stuck to a game plan and tried to press them. We took some risks with it up the pitch, some of them worked, some of them didn't. We were willing to do that."
Guardiola on Aguero: “I was very pleased with Sergio. When this kind of huge player sometimes doesn't play, there is always a debate. It's always 'why, why, why'. We have an exceptional relationship. His goals are so important. In the last game against Huddersfield he played awesome and scored two goals. Today another one and he had more chances and he helped us a lot in our game and our build-up. Again, brilliant, really brilliant.”
Moyes on Ndong: "I was impressed because I wanted to get as much energy in the middle of the pitch to try and stop Manchester City dominating the game. I don't think we were ever going to fully stop that but we were trying to do it as much as we could to try and know that we could get up and press Toure and then the centre halves as well. For long periods we did it.”
Guardiola on Sane: “I think he has a lot of qualities. He's so fast, runs in behind like few players in the world. It is his first year in the Premier League. The first months were very difficult for him, but it is not easy for a young player in England to come here and play the way he's playing. We are so satisfied because he's so young and he has a lot of career to do here with us.”
Moyes on the run-in: “April looks like being a big month. We don't want to be adrift. We only have one more game in March. Come April 1 hopefully we will have Victor Anichebe, Jan Kirchhoff and Lee Cattermole back to bolster the troops. When you're in it every day you see the levels go up. We've got games coming up - we don't have to show it, we have to do it.”
Guardiola on title race: “It's a pity that the distance to Chelsea is so big. I feel we are playing quite good and that's why we are making results. But now we are in a position when you arrive in March and April when, if you win every game you stay in touch, but if you lose you are out of the title race. We are there behind Chelsea, who are almost unstoppable.”
