Pep Guardiola wants more from star man Riyad Mahrez, as he explained what he said to the Manchester City winger after his substitution at Norwich.
Mahrez went into the game at Carrow Road on a run of eight goals and four assists in his last seven games for City, scoring in each of those games, but that streak ended at Norwich.
The top scorer wasn't poor in the 4-0 win, but it was Raheem Sterling who stole the limelight as he netted a hat-trick on the opposite flank. As City were comfortable in the second half, Guardiola introduced three academy players, including Premier League debutant Kayky for Mahrez on 83 minutes.
As Mahrez came off, Guardiola have him a playful push, and had some animated words before the pair both laughed and Mahrez took a seat. The manager was also heard giving more criticism to Mahrez during the game from the sidelines.
Explaining that exchange, Guardiola told Sky Sports after the game: "He is an exceptional player but I want more, for Riyad I want more.
"He is exceptional, but at the same time, he is sometimes weak in the duels. We know each other for a long time, he knows the intentions we say to him are always in a positive way."
Guardiola also praised City's performance, saying the much-changed side did well to perform against an in-form Norwich team,
"From the first minute we created two or three chances in five or 10 minutes. It was a really good performance overall," he said.
"The weaknesses depend on their movements, we react and find spaces. We spoke they will close the space in between and put the ball outside, create, good runners. In general we did a good performance. We arrive here with them in their best moment, they were confident. It was so important. These guys play all these years incredibly and today we prove it again.
"Look what happens in Southampton, they were brilliant in Old Trafford, they played incredibly well. Football is unpredictable, how we behave today is Manchester City. If they scored, I'm sure we'd react well and maybe we drop points but the team is alive."
