Pep Guardiola's blast at Jack Grealish leaves the Man City star at a crossroads, writes JACK GAUGHAN as Savinho finds form alongside Erling Haaland
Share:
Referee Michael Salisbury’s whistle to signal half-time was a starting pistol for Pep Guardiola, who raced off in completely the wrong direction. Guardiola found himself on the pitch, seeking out Kevin De Bruyne near the penalty area for something that clearly could not wait for the dressing room.
![[Guardiola gave Jack Grealish a kick up the behind post-match in what felt like pointed remarks]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/21/93762441-0-image-a-3_1736113768369.jpg)
The pair embraced, Guardiola slapping his captain on the waist while gesturing thanks, after recognising the defensive effort De Bruyne had put in moments before, hindering West Ham’s chances of nicking a goal back. He values effort, Guardiola, but smart effort.
![[Savinho was influential in creating chances for Erling Haaland in the thrashing of West Ham]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/21/93762615-14252759-image-a-5_1736113917667.jpg)
De Bruyne thwarted one move, then bought a free-kick to slow the flow. It’s what Jack Grealish has done for this City team in the past and yet the winger again sat watching De Bruyne on the bench, nodding in approval. That bit of play from De Bruyne is Grealish all over but Grealish doesn’t do it any more. He sits on the sideline. At 29, his career — at City and beyond — is at a crossroads. Aside from De Bruyne’s clever work, Savinho’s emergence over recent games has brought that more sharply into focus.
![[Guardiola refused to believe City are back to their best yet as they recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since October]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/22/93762807-14252759-image-m-20_1736114879988.jpg)
Savinho added two assists against West Ham to one at Leicester the previous weekend. That is one more than Grealish has managed in the Premier League since the start of last season, in which time he has played 1,578 minutes of football. Pep Guardiola found himself on the pitch, seeking out Kevin De Bruyne near the penalty area for something that clearly could not wait for the dressing room after Saturday's 4-1 win over West Ham.
![[Savinho and Haaland have began to form an understanding that can get the club back to winning matches consistently]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/05/21/93762595-14252759-image-a-4_1736113873541.jpg)
