Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 7y

Pep Guardiola hails Kevin De Bruyne: 'He can do absolutely everything'

Pep Guardiola hailed the all-around contribution of Kevin De Bruyne after another outstanding individual performance in the 1-0 over Chelsea.

The Belgium midfielder scored the 67th minute winner as City won at the home of the Premier League champions but Guardiola picked out his selfless work effort for his teammates.

"He can do absolutely everything," the City boss told a news conference. "With the ball, he's a guy taking different positions, assist short and long. After, without the ball he's the most humble, the most shy guy who says: 'if I have to run 100 kilometres for the team, I will do that.'

"It's not easy to find that with this kind of talent. That's why it's a big compliment. He's one of our captains. I think he made a step forward and people feel comfortable having him on the pitch.

"Kevin made [the winner] once again. Once again he showed us how good he is, that guy, and he won the game. That's why we are so happy."

The result returned City to the top of the Premier League on goal difference from neighbours United and moved them six points clear of Chelsea going into the international break.

But Guardiola played down the significance of the result, insisting there is a long way to go in the title race.

"It's September, Chelsea won [a lot of] games in a row last season. They were unbeatable and won the league," he said.

"Of course this season they have a new problem because they play every three days. It's more complicated for all the teams.

"We have United. We saw again the Harry Kane team, every game he scores two or three goals. Jose with United will always be tough. When you see United you say: 'That is a Jose Mourinho team'. They are aggressive, they win duels, they are so quick in the counter-attack."

However, Guardiola believes the result and performance at such a difficult venue as Stamford Bridge will give them huge confidence going into the rest of the season.

"We try with Manchester City to feel like a club, not just the teammates, the players, the staff, to convince the club we're able to go wherever and do our game," he added.

"Of course you have to adapt to the opponents because they have the same quality, but to show to Stamford Bridge in the first minute that you have come to win the game. That is what I want to give to this club, and that's what we did today."

The win was even more impressive as City was without leading scorer Sergio Aguero, following his car crash on Thursday night and Benjamin Mendy, who is facing a long time out with a knee ligament injury.

"I want to dedicate this game for Benjamin and to Sergio -- every guy is going to fight to keep going," Guardiola said.

"We are so sad for Benjamin. He's a guy who gives us a different spirit in the locker room. Sergio as well, but hopefully he'll be back soon.

"We have two options -- complain about players not available or play with the players we have, because we still have exceptional players.

"We came here to win. This is my first time as a manager I won in this stadium. We are so happy."

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