Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola lauded David Silva as one of the best players he has ever seen after the Spaniard starred in his 400th appearance for the club, a 3-1 win at Bournemouth.
Silva started in an attack-minded midfield as both Fernandinho and Rodri were left on the bench, with City s approach ultimately paying dividends.
The 33-year-old split open the Bournemouth defence to set up Raheem Sterling to make it 2-0 to the Premier League champions, while he also claimed an assist for Sergio Aguero s second goal.
It proved a fitting display from the playmaker, who joined from Valencia in 2010, as he reached a notable personal milestone on the south coast.
Everything we love about in a fine MOTM showing to mark his 400th game!
— Manchester City (@ManCity)
Guardiola admitted on Friday he had doubts about Silva s suitability for the Premier League before the midfielder made the move – now he ranks him among the greatest footballers he has witnessed.
He played incredibly well, Guardiola told BBC Sport. David, in this kind of game – with a defence so deep and with such few spaces – is so good. He s one of the best players I ve ever seen.
What can I say? Everyone knows David. He moves between the lines like no one else in the world, he is a fighter.
Sterling s goal was his fifth in the league already this season and Guardiola was delighted with his side s clinical finishing, particularly given the champions did not craft a huge number of clear-cut opportunities.
We didn t create so many chances, but Raheem is still scoring goals, which is good for us, he added.
