Guardiola replaced Grealish in the 58th minute, along with Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, shortly after Jude Bellingham scored the opener at the Etihad Stadium. City improved as goals from John Stones and Erling Haaland turned the game around. Grealish is yet to score or provide an assist this season, notching just six goals and four assists in 38 appearances in all competitions in his first campaign at City. Guardiola was asked about the 27-year-old this season. “He started really well but had to stop because of an ankle problem,” said the trainer. “The last game in the final third he was the only forward making attacking one-on-one runs, but to assist he didn’t have his team-mates in the box so we left him isolated. “When he goes against the fullback, only Erling was there. Gudo wasn’t there, Kevin wasn’t there and he should be. In the first half especially with the ball we didn’t make any moves to help the players who had the ball and give him more possibilities to make it easier. “I’m more than happy and pleased with what he’s doing. Now it’s just a matter of time before the momentum he had at the start of the season comes back a bit.” Guardiola dismissed Grealish’s stats. “We didn’t sign for the incredible goals or assists at Aston Villa. It was another reason and when he played he did. I want [him] to score goals and assists and he does too. But it’s not about that, it’s about his contribution without the ball and what he can produce for others.” Guardiola isn’t worried if Grealish faces criticism from outside the club. “I always tell them, ‘You know exactly how you played, what we were looking for — what the game plan was, if it worked or didn’t work,’” he said. “So you don’t have to listen to what people say, whether you played well or badly. You know and each of us knows if you did your best on that particular day.” Start your evenings with the Guardian’s view of the world of football Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Kyle Walker faces a fitness test for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Wolves.
