Kyle Walker played his best game for Manchester City against West Ham, according to Pep Guardiola.
Walker, who has been at City since 2017, has been City's first choice right-back for the majority of his time at the Etihad and lined up there on the opening day at the London Stadium. However, in possession, Walker regularly moved inside as an inverted full-back, as did Joao Cancelo from the left.
As a result, City crowded the midfield and were able to free their attackers and unlock the West Ham defence. And Guardiola says Walker's contribution might be his best performance since signing for City, praising both of his full-backs for their tactical roles.
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He said: "The last two years we couldn't win here, it's always a tough place to come, the first game away in all leagues is difficult. We make an exceptional performance everywhere. We were perfect, much more aggressive in terms of going to win the ball, really to win the ball. Against Liverpool we were really, really, really poor.
"After with the process we played really well. The back four, Kyle and Joao were amazing. Today Kyle Walker was exceptional, maybe one of the best games he played since we were together. Not just defensive, he was part of all things, wanted to play with the ball and do it. Joao with his focus, all guys were brilliant, didn't concede much. Now we have a threat with Erling [Haaland]."
And Guardiola also praised Ilkay Gundogan, who set Haaland free to win City's first-half penalty. "Ilkay missed one clear chance in the second half but in that moment I thought you scored a goal you shouldn't have scored, the two goals that won us the Premier League.
"He always plays good, one of the first signings when we arrive. Apart from an incredible human being, you can talk about life, football, he understands the game perfectly. He always wants to play, has a special quality, the runners in front of goal.
"Ilkay Gundogan, for me, is one of the most important players we have, for many things, for the balance of the locker room."
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